Sri Lanka to Import 1,000 Vehicles to Improve Tourism Transport

The government has decided to import 1000 buses and vans to improve transport facilities for tourists.

Accordingly, the Cabinet has approved a proposal submitted by the Minister of Tourism and Lands to import 750 vans and 250 buses with the aim of uplifting the tourism sector.

According to the proposal, it is planned to import 6-15 seater vans, as well as 16-30 seater (small) buses and 30-45 seater (large) buses, without special tax concessions.

Although it is considered a custom in the tourism industry that vehicles engaged in tourist transport should not be used for more than 6 years, the government states that the condition of vehicles used in this industry appears to be unsatisfactory.

Issuing a statement, it further mentioned that Sri Lanka has been discredited as a prominent tourist destination due to the use of old vehicles, as a result of vehicle restrictions and limitations on essential spare parts.

Therefore, considering the contribution of the tourism industry to Sri Lanka's economic revival process, the government has recognized the need to import essential vehicles to uplift the industry and has made this decision.