The Hon. Chathuranga Abeysinghe - Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development

¶ 01 Hon. Member, we have discussed specific measures with the industrialists. In addition to HS codes already restricted or requiring licences, new product categories have emerged—purported “value-added” metal-based items—sometimes exported as shoe components, flower vases, or ornamental items. We have identified these. We proposed a substantial number of additional HS codes to the Ministry of Finance in February and referred them to the Attorney-General’s Department in March for necessary legal clearance. The Ministry followed up on 1 July. We expect approval for the remaining committee-recommended HS codes within about a month. Then, with notices to exporters and Customs, enhanced checking can be done.

¶ 02 We are also coordinating with IDB and within the Ministry to verify value addition before allowing exports. The present issue is that, beyond the HS codes already restricted by law, various items are leaving the country. We are confident we can implement a concrete solution in the coming months.