Sri Lanka is to import 12 electric vehicles under the program of allowing Sri Lankan migrant workers to import an electric vehicle after remitting money through official channels although the country has no proper charginging centres and electric car repairing facilities.
The programme to allow Sri Lankan migrant workers to import electric vehicles with relief on duty was launched yesterday (March 10).
Accordingly, Sri Lanka Customs has already commenced clearing the electric vehicles imported by migrant workers.
Earlier, Minister of Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara stated that the foreign remittances to Sri Lanka have increased up to USD 475 million by the end of last year, adding that this programme has contributed to the foreign remittance hike.
Through this programme, a license is issued to local migrant workers who import an electric vehicle equivalent to 50% or less of the remittance they have transmitted to Sri Lanka through legal channels.
Furthermore, the duty fees incurred when importing the vehicles should be settled in foreign currency.
However, the Foreign Employment Minister mentions that positive feedback has been received from migrant workers regarding the programme being launched.
The nominated representative of the first recipient of the newly introduced program to allow Sri Lankan migrant workers to import an electric vehicle after remitting money through official channels received the relevant vehicle import permit from Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara yesterday.
Daham Perera, the authorized representative of the Sri Lankan migrant worker who imported the vehicle, received the vehicle import permit from Minister Nanayakkara.
The minister on the occasion noted that the decision to allow Sri Lankan migrant workers who remit money through official channels to import an electric vehicle has been much appreciated and inquiries in this regard by workers are increasing on a daily basis.
Any Sri Lankan who lives, works or holds dual citizenship in a foreign country are eligible to import an electric vehicle under the scheme.
Those sending USD 20,000 or more between May 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022, can obtain a permit to import an electric car. Those who remit USD 3,000 or more via official channels from May 1st 2022 to May 2023 are eligible to import an electric motorcycle.
The minister emphasized that mandatory remittances directed to Sri Lanka are sent through the legal channels such as the banking system to be eligible for this benefit. The minister further said that it was also mandatory that 50 percent of the money sent has been converted into rupees.
