Govt. defends decision to import limited number of vehicles

• Says Treasury will make arrangements to revoke LCs opened

The Government yesterday defended the previous decision to import a limited number of vehicles for Members of the Parliament (MPs), noting that the Treasury will make arrangements to revoke the letters of credit (LCs) opened via Bank of Ceylon (BOC).

“We are not aware of the full details of the LCs opened. However, Treasury will be able to negotiate  the matter with the relevant parties,” Co-Cabinet Spokesperson Udaya Gammanpila told journalists at the weekly post-Cabinet briefing in response to questions raised on Government decision to ban all vehicle imports.

Previously, a proposal was put forward by the Finance Ministry to permit importation of limited vehicles in a cost-effective manner for MPs. However, on Monday night, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Finance Minister announced that a decision was taken by Cabinet to suspend all vehicle imports after considering economic impact due COVID-19.

“We have been purchasing vehicles in the past and that will be helpful to make some influence. Treasury official will do the needful,” Gammanpila said.

The Government in March 2020 decided to suspend the importation of vehicles as an economic revival measure amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.