Electric vehicle imports : Slight change to initial announcement

Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara says that requirement to purchase or import a solar power system along with the new electric car scheme for foreign workers has been removed.

Earlier the Ministry announced that along with the electric vehicle imported a solar system also needed to be purchased or imported to charge the vehicle.

“We have decided to remove this requirement initially for the first six months” Minister told NewsWire.

Minister also said that any foreign worker who had deposited the relevant amounts from 1st of July will be eligible for the import licence.

“We will run this program initially for six months until December 31st, circular with all the details will be released soon” Minister added.

Sri Lanka Cabinet earlier this week approved the proposal to allow Sri Lankan migrant workers to import vehicles based on the amount remitted through official banking channels.

The proposal provides migrant workers to purchase electric vehicles, including motorcycles.

Sri Lankan migrant workers who have remitted US$ 3000 will be permitted to import an electric motorcycle for half of that value.

However, permission has not been granted for the imports of three-wheelers.

“With the current situation in the country, vehicles are not allowed to be imported to Sri Lanka in any way. That is why a vehicle import license is introduced for foreign workers. here, if you have sent more than 3000 dollars to your own or a relative’s account through a bank, they can buy an electric motorcycle for half of the money sent. $3000 is the lowest value. This permission is not available for three-wheelers.” Foreign Employement Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said announcing the initiative earlier this week.

“Accordingly, electric vehicles are allowed to be imported from $20,000 to a maximum of $65,000. These imported vehicles should be in the running range of 300-500″

“This is expected to achieve the main objectives of increasing the import of dollars into the country and reducing the withdrawal of dollars abroad, without affecting the mainstream and protecting the environment” Minister Nanayakkara concluded.