• Motor trade wary over some of the new measures 

The 2022 Budget presented yesterday in Parliament was silent on resuming vehicle imports, but proposed an unspecified fine to minimise accidents.

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa said the fee on vehicles meeting with accidents could be reimbursed from insurance but would deter reckless driving and reduce the number of motor vehicle accidents.

He also proposed a fee on vehicle modification, alteration and refurbishment; and, subject to an amnesty period to pay fines, legally register illegal motor cars and motorcycles, if they are in a condition suitable for road use.

Another move was to release all vehicles seized at the Sri Lanka Customs owing to non-payment of applicable taxes and other reasons. The release will be subject to the payment of applicable taxes and fines.

The Government hopes to raise Rs. 4 billion from these proposals.

The motor trade has been looking for a lifeline from the 2022 Budget by way of lifting the import ban for the past two years. The motor trade is also wary of some of the new measures and warned of serious concerns. Separately the Budget also proposed to allocate Rs. 500 million to expand the scheme of offering motorcycles for public officers.

The initiative was launched in 2014 to increase the efficient provision of public services offered by field officers. Basil said 146,381 field officers obtained motorcycles under this initiative.

Three-wheelers to be regulated