Colombo (LNW): 119 electric cars valued at nearly Rs. 1.2 billion have been brought into the country by exploiting the scheme for migrant workers to import electric vehicles, said the Parliamentary Committee on Ways and Means.
Of these, a single firm imported 75 vehicles.
Actions were taken to sell their licences prior to importing the vehicles.
The committee was informed that a customs duty of Rs. 5 million would be levied for a licence valued at US $250,000.
Through this, smugglers have significantly reduced the government’s tax revenue.
Laws should be rigorously applied against those exploiting the scheme, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Ways and Means MP Patali Champika Ranawaka disclosed.
He advised Sri Lankan Customs to re-evaluate the potential revenue had the customs duties been correctly applied to the relevant vehicles.
Furthermore, he suggested that the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment cooperate with the Ministry of Finance to ensure the appropriate use of the given licences.
