The Hon. Riyas Farook

¶ 01 Madam Deputy Chairperson of Committees, thank you for the opportunity to speak on the Resolution under the Customs Ordinance, the Order under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, and other regulations.

¶ 02 During the last government, the country faced a severe economic crisis and imports were restricted. After this government took office, to move the economy forward and meet people’s needs while increasing revenue, vehicle import restrictions were lifted in stages: - From 2024.10.01 for public and special transport, - From 2024.12.01 for commercial goods transport, - From 2025.02.01 for personal vehicles such as cars, vans, and pickups.

¶ 03 For diesel, petrol, hybrid and electric vehicles, HS codes and duties were set. There were issues, but they were resolved as they arose. In past imports, some did not follow proper procedures in Japan; certain banks did not accept required documents. Some companies undervalued vehicles and imported via cross-border LCs from the UK, Singapore, etc., leading to legal issues upon arrival. For reconditioned vehicles, documents needed the seal of an exporting-country bank; due to complications, continued discussions could not resolve matters, and the government had to re-export some consignments; importers went to court.

¶ 04 Then came the BYD electric vehicles. A dispute arose whether they were 100 kW or 150 kW; with support from the University of Moratuwa, it was settled. Subsequently, questions arose on determining the 115 code, as new technologies combine with electric; an intermediate HS code between hybrid and electric was proposed, but that too has gone to court.

¶ 05 Today, Opposition MP Mujibur Rahman claimed Hambantota Port is congested and vehicles can’t be parked and that fees have been raised. Those vehicles were imported in 2015–2019 and reached as duties were doubled just days before arrival by the then government, so importers did not clear them. Many vehicles still remain due to legal constraints; that is the real reason.

¶ 06 I must also respond to criticism that Muslim government MPs do not speak. We do speak, always present in sittings. We do not make communal speeches; we speak for the needs of the entire nation. This government was formed to eliminate communalism. During the Kandy/Akurana/Digana disturbances, where were those Muslim MPs? The present President and Ministers Bimal Rathnayake, Nalinda Jayatissa and Sunil Handunnetti came, visited the affected areas, consoled people, and launched the “We Are Humans” campaign to preserve peace. We will never support communalism. Thank you.