The Committee on Public Finance considered and approved the regulations under the Import and Export (Control) Act, No. 1 of 1969, published by the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2449/60 dated 15.08.2025. The said Committee met in Parliament under the chairmanship of its Chairman, Member of Parliament (Dr.) Harsha de Silva.
Accordingly, approval is expected to extend the permission granted for the import of vehicles to promote the tourism sector through the said regulations, which are to be presented to Parliament in the future.
The officials present here pointed out that under the said regulations introduced in May 2024, approval was given to import 1,000 new vehicles. The aim was to strengthen transport facilities to support tourism development and the import of these vehicles under special permits issued by the Ministry of Tourism was valid until June 30, 2025.
Following a proposal by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Cabinet approved the extension of this facility for another three months, i.e. until September 30, 2025, in August last year. Accordingly, new regulations published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2449/60 dated August 15, 2025 under the Import and Export (Control) Act No. 1 of 1969 have been submitted to Parliament for approval.
Officials explained that the requests made by the automotive industry to increase the import capacity of vehicles at concessional prices cannot be accommodated under the current policy framework. They further stated that providing such concessions to one sector may raise issues regarding the balance of other industries.
The officials also highlighted the challenges faced in collecting the Tourism Development Levy (TDL). It was revealed that while registered hotels and formal establishments contribute to the levy, many tourist lodges and other places that provide accommodation to tourists (Airbnb) are not yet part of the system and therefore do not make the relevant payments. It was discussed that this situation has created inequality in the tourism industry and that it poses problems in strengthening the fund for tourism development.
The committee comprises the Hon. Members of Parliament, Attorneys-at-Law Rauff Hakeem, Ravi Karunanayake, Harshana Rajakaruna, Ajith Agalakada, M.K.M. Aslam, Nimal Palihena, Attorney-at-Law Chitral Fernando, Wijesiri Basnayake, Thilina Samarakoon, Champika Hettiarachchi, Nishantha Jayaweera and a group of officials representing the Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, the Department of Trade and Investment Policy, the Department of Import and Export Control, the Department of Sri Lanka Customs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority participated.