Cabinet nod to import vehicles for select Ministries

The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday gave its approval to import vehicles specifically for the Ports, Shipping and Aviation Ministry as well as the Education Ministry.

This decision comes against the backdrop of the Government’s temporary suspension of motor vehicle imports, excluding construction vehicles and ambulances, as part of measures to alleviate pressure on the foreign exchange market.

While the general prohibition on vehicle imports remains in place, exceptions have been made for certain critical needs and the Cabinet on 11 December 2023 approved requests from the Ministries of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, and Education to the Ministry of Finance for importing vehicles.

The approved importations include a range of vehicles catering to diverse purposes:

Three ramp vehicles for Sri Lankan Airlines

Three mobile maternity units, a donation from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

21 double-cab vehicles provided by United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

A vehicle for the Korean Fund Project, operating under the agreement between Sri Lanka and South Korea, specifically tied to the establishment of the work permit system.

Two buses for the Science and Technology Human Resources Development Project, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).