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Remove ban on vehicle imports – Customs…

Published

3 years ago

2023/06/14

Sahan Weerasooriya

foreign credit line to facilitate vehicle imports proposed

Revenue shortfall Rs 443 bn:

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Sri Lanka Customs has warned the Finance Ministry that it will fall short of its revenue targets for 2023 by at least Rs. 443 bn unless the government abolishes the ban on vehicle imports as well as restrictions on other imports immediately.

The top Customs management recently told the Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on National Economic and Physical Plans that the Finance Ministry had been appraised of their inability to meet anticipated revenue targets.

The Customs officials appeared before the SOC, headed by SLPP lawmaker Mahindananda Aluthgamage, on 08 June.

Aluthgamage said that only Rs 330 bn had been collected up to May this year though the government projected Rs 1,226 bn in revenue.

Sri Lanka imposed a ban on vehicle imports in early 2020 due to a severe balance of payments crisis that ultimately led to declaration of bankruptcy in April 2022.

The SOC has summoned Customs to ascertain their contribution to the government revenue this year.

The SOC has been told that the maximum Customs could collect this year is Rs 783 bn under the present circumstances.

The all-party committee has also been informed that approximately 20 percent of Customs revenue was earned through taxes imposed on vehicle imports. Therefore, the vital unit couldn’t be expected to succeed unless the government created the much needed requirement.

Customs, Inland Revenue and Excise Departments account for more than 90 % of government revenue.

Customs also pointed out that since 2014 they never collected revenue more than Rs 1,000 bn. During the 2014-2022 period, 2014 had been the best year with Customs revenue collection reaching Rs 923 bn mark at the time the late Mangala Samaraweera served as the Finance Minister. Of this amount, Rs 194 bn had been collected as taxes imposed on vehicle imports, the arliament said. The statement issued by Parliament quoted Customs as having said that Rs 150 bn could be collected by the end of this year if ban on vehicle imports was done away with immediately.

Customs expressed the view that by resumption of vehicle imports immediately in line with their overall proposals, revenue collection for this year could be increased to Rs 1,100 bn from projected Rs 783 bn.

However, SOC and Customs seemed to have agreed that whatever the changes brought in the original estimate of Rs 1,226 couldn’t be met.

SOC Chairman Aluthgamage has assured that discussions were underway and the government would take a decision in this regard soon.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that as a result of issuance of a particular gazette in 2012 any quantity of gems could be imported by just paying USD 200. Customs have requested SOC to restore the system that had been in operation before to permit imposition of duty on the basis of the estimated value.

They also discussed the need to address Customs-related court cases within a specified time. Former minister Aluthgamage said that he would take up this issue with Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC. Customs also revealed that there were approximately 1,200 held by them pending court cases.

SOC also listened to the shocking revelation that approximately 60% percent of imports weren’t subjected to Customs inspections at all. Declaring that sugar, fertiliser and rice that were brought through the green channel never subjected to Customs scrutiny, SOC was told cigarettes, liquor and other items were smuggled in with above mentioned items.

MP Aluthgamage has pointed out that major fraudulent activities took place as Customs officers, based at Bandaranaike International Airport, were not subjected to checks at all. Customs have assured SOC Chairman after having studied the situation a directive would be issued to pave the way for BIA-based Customs officers to be checked.

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Advisory for Heavy Rain issued for the Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts

Published

6 hours ago

2026/02/22

Priyan

Advisory for Heavy Rain Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 08.30 a.m. on 22 February 2026 valid for the period until 08.30 a.m. 23 February 2026

Due to the influence of the low level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Therefore, general public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by heavy rain, strong winds and lightning during thundershowers

News

Matara Festival for the Arts’ inaugurated by the Prime Minister

Published

12 hours ago

2026/02/22

Priyan

The inaugural ceremony of the Matara Festival for the Arts, featuring a wide range of creations by local and international artists, was held on February 19 at the Old High Court premises of the Matara Fort, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The festival, centred around the Old High Court premises in Matara and the auditorium of the Matara District Secretariat, will be open to the public from 20 to 23 of February. The festival will be featured by visual art exhibitions, short film screenings, Kala Pola, and a series of workshops conducted by experts.

The inaugural event was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs, Ms. Saroja Paulraj, along with artists, guests, and a large number of schoolchildren.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)

News

Only single MP refuses salary as Parliament details pays and allowances

Published

16 hours ago

2026/02/22

Thilina Walpola

SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilake is the only MP to forego salary and allowances, with all payments suspended following his written notification on August 20, 2025.

Only one Member of Parliament has chosen not to receive the salaries and allowances entitled to MPs, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya revealed in Parliament last Thursday, shedding light on the financial perks enjoyed by members of the Tenth Parliament.

Speaking on Thursday (Feb. 19) in response to a question from SJB Badulla District MP Chaminda Wijesiri, the Prime Minister outlined the full range of pay and allowances provided to parliamentarians.

According to Dr. Amarasuriya, MPs receive a monthly allowance of Rs. 54,285, an entertainment allowance of Rs. 1,000, and a driver’s allowance of Rs. 3,500—though MPs provided with a driver through the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs are not eligible for the driver’s allowance.

Additional benefits include a telephone allowance of Rs. 50,000, a transport allowance of Rs. 15,000, and an office allowance of Rs. 100,000. MPs are also paid a daily sitting allowance of Rs. 2,500 for attending parliamentary sessions, with an additional Rs. 2,500 per day for participation in parliamentary sittings and Rs. 2,500 per day as a committee allowance.

Committee meetings held on non-parliament sitting days also attract Rs. 2,500 per day.

Fuel allowances are provided based on the distance between an MP’s electoral district and Parliament. National List MPs are entitled to a monthly allocation equivalent to 419.76 litres of diesel at the market price on the first day of each month.

Despite the comprehensive benefits, only SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilaka has opted not to draw a salary or allowances. Dr. Amarasuriya said that in accordance with a written notification submitted by MP Wasalathilaka on August 20, 2025, payments have been suspended since that date.

The Prime Minister also confirmed that she, along with the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, committee chairs, ministers, deputy ministers, the Opposition Leader, and senior opposition whips, have all informed the Secretary-General of Parliament in writing that they will not claim the fuel allowance.

Challenging the ruling party’s voluntary pledge to forgo salaries, MP Wijesiri pointed out that all MPs except Wasalathilaka continue to receive their salaries and allowances. “On one hand you speak about the people’s mandate, which is good. But the mandate also included people who said they would voluntarily serve in this Parliament without salaries. Today we have been able to prove, Hon. Speaker, that except for one SJB MP, the other 224 Members are drawing parliamentary salaries,” he said.

The Prime Minister responded by defending the political culture and practice of allocating portions of MPs’ salaries to party funds. Referring to previous practices by the JVP and NPP, she said: “It is no secret to the country that the JVP has for a long time not personally taken MPs’ salaries or any allowances. I think the entire country knows that these go to a party fund. That is not new, nor is it something special to mention. The NPP operates in the same way. That too is not new; it is the culture of our political movement.”

When MP Wijesiri posed a supplementary question asking whether diverting salaries to party funds was an indirect method of taking care of MPs, Dr. Amarasuriya said: “There is no issue there. No question was raised; the Member made a statement. What we have seen throughout this week is an inability to understand our political culture and practice, and a clash with decisions taken by political movements that misused public funds. What is coming out is a certain mindset. That is why there is such an effort to find fault with the 159. None of these facts are new to people. He did not ask a question, so I have nothing to answer.”

The disclosures come days after the Government moved to abolish the parliamentary pension, a measure that has sparked renewed debate over MP compensation and the transparency of funds allocation.