Janaka Ratnayake says ‘election gimmick’ by Govt.

Presidential aspirant  Janaka Ratnayake

Presidential aspirant Janaka Ratnayake yesterday scoffed at the Government’s sudden move to lift controls on the import of vehicles from 1 October.

“The move is dangerous and will seriously jeopardise the hard-earned scarce foreign reserves of the country. It is aimed at appeasing people to win the election by hook or by crook,” charged Ratnayake. “If the Government is confident why not lift the ban immediately,” he queried.

Ratnayake argued that given the vulnerable situation in terms of foreign exchange, the country should perhaps consider introducing a lottery system for import of cars similar to Singapore. In a normal year, vehicle imports amount to over $ 1 billion. 

Ratnayake opined that via the latest move, President Ranil Wickremesinghe was trying to make life difficult for a future new President and the incumbent should let his successor make a proper decision on the import of vehicles.

The Cabinet of Ministers at a special meeting yesterday approved the removal of the temporary suspension on motor vehicle and non-motorised goods imports on a phased manner from 1 October. The move follows recommendations from the Ministry of Finance and aligns with the nation’s recovery measures under the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility program, said the President’s Media Division.