While a general ban on vehicle imports continues, the Labour and Foreign Employment Ministry is to import a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) under the amended Imports and Exports (Control) Act after it secured Cabinet approval, according to a gazette notification.

According to this notification issued to amend the Imports and Exports (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969, regulations were introduced to allow the importation of selected vehicles for three ministries and national carrier SriLankan Airlines.

In addition to the SUV, two buses for the Education Ministry, three mobile maternity units, and 21 double cabs for the Health Ministry, along with an economy-class Ramp coach for Sri Lankan Airlines, are to be imported under the amended gazette notification.

The Gazette, dated January 11, was issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation, and National Policies. “These regulations are issued as per the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers dated December 11, last year, on 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 Customs Director General was 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.