President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced today (18) in Parliament that the gove ment plans to lift restrictions on vehicle imports for private use starting February 1, 2025.

The President emphasized the need to gradually reopen the vehicle import market, highlighting its importance to industries and entrepreneurs linked to the sector.

He explained that the import of passenger buses and special-purpose vehicles has already resumed as of December 14, 2024. The gove ment will next allow the import of goods transport vehicles and private cars.

The President assured that the decision was made after careful consultation with the Central Bank to avoid triggering another dollar crisis. He added, “If we want to revive and stimulate our economy, we must open this vehicle market.”