Reconditioned vehicle import rule reversed

The Government has decided to allow reconditioned vehicles which have been used for two years to be imported into the country reversing the decision made earlier this month to restrict such imports to one year.

The age limit for commercial vehicles too has been increased to four years from the previous limit of three and half years.

 This decision has been following a meeting between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and members of the Vehicle Importers Association at Temple Trees on Tuesday, the Government official news website said.

Meanwhile the  Finance Ministry has revealed that the  total number of motor vehicles imported into the country had increased by 121% and 147% respectively in 2010 and 2011 compared to the year 2009.

 Number of imported motor cars in 2010 which was 37,134 has risen up to 54,285 by 46% by the year 2011.

Import of motorcycles has gone up by 61% and 81% respectively in 2010 and 2011 compared to the year 2009 while import of three-wheelers has been increased by 163% and 298% respectively in 2010 and 2011 compared to the year 2009.