Vehicle importers cry foul over heavy licence fee
Sri Lanka’s small and medium scale importers of vehicles are under severe pressure with the new requirement of an annual licence fee of Rs.1.5 million for brand new and used vehicle importers.
Indika Sampath Merenchige, President of the Vehicle Importers’ Association of Lanka told a media conference in Colombo on Friday that this licence fee is unbearable for small and medium importers who cannot even pay heavy import duties at present.
The government should address many deficiencies in regulations pertaining to vehicle importation and trading industry, protecting the genuine importers, he said.
He added that many small and medium scale importers would be unable to operate as they are not in a position to pay this licence fee.
While punitive action should be taken against importers who do not follow the regulations, avoid formal channels or make various manipulations, it is unjustifiable to exert additional financial pressure on genuine importers.
The Government decided to introduce a licence fee to stop the mushrooming of car sale centres and prevent any one and every one becoming vehicle importers, official sources said adding that the Vehicle Importers Association has been directed to submit a list of registered vehicle importers to the Finance Ministry to implement the licencing scheme.