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Tax on vehicles entering Colombo city
By Asif Fuard
A proposal by President Chandrika Kumaratunga to levy a tax on all vehicles entering Colombo city has been accepted by the Cabinet, Minister D.M.Jayaratne told The Sunday Times.

Mr. Jayaratne said the move was aimed at reducing traffic congestion in the city and also reducing fuel consumption. He said that the government plan to introduce more luxury buses in the city to encourage persons not to bring in their vehicles to the city.

He said the modalities of implementing the scheme have not been worked out and the date of implemention was yet to be decided. Transport Minister Felix Perera told The Sunday Times that a committee has been appointed to study a government proposal on imposing the tax.

The Sunday Times learns that some ministers have opposed this tax claiming that it would contribute towards further raising the cost of living. The tax is to be imposed depending on the type of vehicles and they will be checked at the main entry points to the Colombo city.

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