The Hon. Mujibur Rahman

¶ 01 Please respond after my speech. There is no point interrupting. Often, answers only come when we raise it here.

¶ 02 The importers do not need answers to me; they need answers to clear their vehicles. If you cannot release, send them back. Otherwise, release them. Now they must pay demurrage, which further increases their losses, as all are at Hambantota Port. We request urgent intervention to resolve this.

¶ 03 Also, look at vehicle pricing. What is the price of a WagonR today? You promised to sell a Vitz for Rs. 1.8 million. The Vitz is comparable to the lowest segment small SUV used by lower middle classes; it’s a hybrid petrol. Recently Customs has been reclassifying the 115 code from “hybrid petrol” to “petrol,” so a unit that paid Rs. 3.5 million duty as hybrid is now charged Rs. 4 million as petrol. The market price of a WagonR is around Rs. 7 million. You spoke of Vitz for Rs. 1.8 million; now you cannot even buy a WagonR for that. Customs reclassification raises duty to Rs. 4 million per WagonR. The Minister keeps his doors closed and does not meet importers; twice they sought meetings, no answers. I do not need the answer—give it to the importers.