Labour Ministry gets special permission to import SUV

The Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment has been permitted to import a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) vehicle while restrictions on imports of vehicles continue.

Permission has been granted under the amended Imports and Exports (Control) Act after Cabinet approval, according to a gazette notification.

It was not clear for the reasons for granting permission for a single SUV when restrictions continue on other Ministries.

Under these regulations permission has been granted to allow the importation of selected vehicles for three Ministries and national carrier- SriLankan Airlines, but these vehicles were for general purpose.

Accordingly, permission has been granted for the import of two buses for the Ministry of Education, three Mobile Maternity Units and 21 Double Cabs for the Ministry of Health along with an Economy class Ramp coach for Sri Lankan Airlines under amended gazette notification.

The Gazette, dated January 11 was issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies.

“These Regulations are issued as per the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers dated December 11, last year on the Memorandum No. 23/2288/628/105/TBR dated November 28, 2023 submitted by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation read together with the Observations of the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies dated December 06, 2023” the gazette reads.

Accordingly, the Director General of Sri Lanka Customs instructed to allow the importation of the vehicles based on the recommendation of the Chief Accounting Officer of the respective Ministry and subjected to other prevailing Rules and Regulations applicable to the importation of motor vehicles.