Cabinet approves two proposals to encourage remittances via legal channels

• New duty-free allowance based on amount of remittance transmitted and licence to import an EV equivalent to 50% of remittances gets Cabinet nod

Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara yesterday confirmed that the Cabinet of Ministers has agreed to two suggestions to encourage more remittances through legal channels. The Minister said that a proposal put forward by him on a new duty-free allowance based on the amount of remittance transmitted was agreed by the Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting held last night.

He also said that a system to provide a license to import an electric vehicle equivalent to 50% of remittance transmitted through legal channels was also approved.

In addition, Nanayakkara said Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera had agreed to a proposal to provide a fuel pass to tourists, migrant workers and dual citizens who are willing to pay in dollars at the airport.

They would “not need” to stay in queues for fuel once they obtain the fuel pass, the Minister said.