Lamborghini cars – once again hot topic in the country
View(s):Italian-made Lamborghini cars have once again turned out to be a hot topic in the country amidst a Customs move to bar the re-export of these vehicles. The Customs action to stop the re-export of three Lamborghinis brought down for demonstration purposes by Euro Sports Auto Lanka (Pvt) Ltd was thwarted by an interim order issued by the Appeal Court on Thursday.
In a May 26 letter, Customs turned down a re-export request from the company directing it to pay all applicable taxes for the vehicles within 10 days. Arrangements were being made to recover a sum of Rs.260 million as duties and fines on the bank guarantees demanding Sampath Bank, NDB Bank and Seylan Bank to take necessary action towards this end. The company in its Appeal Court petition stated that it came to know the banks have issued pay orders favouring the Director General Customs to present the same for payment on June 3.
“If the pay orders are presented for payment and the accounts of the company are debited by banks, heavy (financial) damage would be caused to the company,” the petition pointed out. Considering the contents of the petition, the court issued an interim order staying the implementation of the Custom’s DG’s letter and restraining the department from claiming any sum of money on the bank guarantees. The case will be heard again on June 9.
The Lamborghini which could fetch a price of a phenomenal Rs. 91 million in Sri Lanka was brought down by the company during the last regime. The petition said that at no time were these vehicles used in Sr lanka and remained at the showroom at all times.