Govt. to allow private vehicle imports from February 2025

The government has decided to allow the import of vehicles for private use starting from February 1, 2025, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament today.

The President noted that the government cannot keep the vehicle market closed for a lengthy period of time. Accordingly, vehicle imports will be allowed in three stages. Imports of buses for passenger transport and vehicles used for special services have been allowed with effect from December 14, 2024. 

The government will allow the importing of vehicles for private usage with effect from February 1, 2025, he stressed. 

The President assured that the country will not face another foreign exchange crisis due to allowing the import of vehicles. 

“We have discussed the matter at length with the Central Bank and have estimated the amount of dollars that will be spent when importing vehicles, and how much it will impact the economy. However, in order to revive our economy, we must reopen this vehicle market,” he emphasized.