CMTA Chairman Decries Vehicle Import Suspension
August 15, 2020
In Sri Lanka, it is incredibly challenging for manufacturer authorised franchisees to carry out a legitimate business with huge investments into infrastructure, staffing and development...............
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Auto industry and thousands of jobs in peril - CMTA
August 13, 2020
The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA), urged the Government to provide a clear direction on the period of the vehicle import suspension and emphasized the need to regulate automotive imports to legitimate importers that have been vetted by the Government..............
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Ceylon Motor Traders Association calls for constructive dialogue with Govt.
July 30, 2020
Ceylon Motor Traders Association today CMTA has called for a constructive dialogue with relevant Government authorities to try to work out a mutually viable way forward.............
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Auto Industry and Thousands of Jobs in Peril, says Ceylon Motor Traders Association
July 30, 2020
The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA), the only trade association in Sri Lanka that represents automotive manufacturers through their local importers, urged the Government to provide a clear direction on the period of the vehicle import suspension and emphasized the need to regulate automotive imports to legitimate importers that have been vetted by the Government...... ............
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Auto industry and thousands of jobs in Peril, says CMTA
July 30, 2020
The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA), the only trade association in Sri Lanka that represents automotive manufacturers through their local importers, urged the Government to provide a clear direction on the period of the vehicle import suspension and emphasized the need to regulate automotive imports to legitimate importers that have been vetted by the Government..... ............
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Authorized dealer was not the importer of mis-declared Audi A5 cars: CMTA
December 04, 2019
The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) yesterday confirmed that the sole authorised dealer for Audi in Sri Lanka, Drive One (Pvt.) Ltd, was not in any way involved in the alleged duty fraud that has cost the government a large sum of money.... ............
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Lubricant players concerned over duty hike on synthetic lubricants
December 02, 2019
Issuing a clarification into the previous statement released by the association on this matter, the CMTA said the importation was done by certain parallel importers who had mis-declared the engine capacity to gain a tax advantage incurring a massive loss to the country... .. .
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CMTA focuses on mobility plan for better transportation ecosystem
September 15, 2019
The motor industry is faced with challenges of traffic congestion and road discipline. This calls for a further increase in road infrastructure. However, for a small country such as Sri Lanka it is not a viable option, Chairman, Ceylon Motor Traders' Association (CMTA), Sheran Fernando said............
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Motor traders to formulate long-term mobility plan for country
July 14, 2019
The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) is to formulate a future mobility plan for Sri Lanka with the assistance of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and a few internationally-renowned research agencies to develop a sustainable automotive industry in Sri Lanka............
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Ceylon Motor Traders Association is 99 years
July 02, 2019
The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) celebrated its 99th year recently.Affiliated to the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the CMTA the most senior automotive trade association in the region.... ............
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Ceylon Motor Traders Association celebrates 99th year
June 28, 2019
The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) celebrated its 99th year recently. Affiliated to the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, the CMTA is the most senior automotive trade association in the region..............
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The CMTA in collaboration with WB and IMF
June 24, 2019
The apex voice of the Sri Lankan Automotive Industry, the Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) of Sri Lanka has decided to develop a policy document detailing a future Mobility Plan for Sri Lanka..............
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CMTA to formulate future mobility plan for Sri Lanka
June 24, 2019
The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) is to formulate a future mobility plan for Sri Lanka with the assistance of Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and a few internationally-renowned research agencies to develop a sustainable automotive industry in Sri Lanka... ............
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CMTA expects current tax rates to remain
June 24, 2019
Due to current economic constrains the government would want to keep the current tax rates for the import of motor vehicles, said Sheran Fernando, Chairman who was reelected to the Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association (CMTA) at their 98th AGM at Hilton Colombo Residences, Colombo on Friday.. ............
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CMTA offers assistance to govt. for proper implementation of luxury tax
March 07, 2019
The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA), which represents all major international vehicle manufacturers in Sri Lanka, yesterday offered its assistance to the government to properly impose the luxury tax proposed in the budget presented on Tuesday. ............
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Implementation of Budget proposals, evaluating impact vital
March 07, 2019
The Budget proposal to expand Sri Lankan Government’s IT initiative to facilitate Arts to the Science internship program, where the industry would train 1,000 unemployed youths, mostly arts graduates through internships for one year in IT-BPM, KPO firms, would be a distinctive initiative to reach the government’s ambitious target of creating a more vibrant IT sector.............
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CMTA urges registration of all vehicle importers
October 28, 2018
The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA), whilst agreeing with the government dilemma over rising vehicle imports and outflow of foreign exchange, has called for registration of all vehicle importers.............
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SIAM holds meeting with Ceylon Motor Traders Association
October 11, 2018
A twenty member delegation from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) held a very fruitful meeting with The Ceylon Motor Traders' Association (CMTA) recently..............
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Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers holds meeting with Ceylon Motor Traders' Association
October 10, 2018
A 20-member delegation from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) held a very fruitful and cordial meeting with the Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association (CMTA) last week..............
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Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers' hold Cordial Meeting with The Ceylon Motor Traders' Association
October 09, 2018
A twenty member delegation from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers' (SIAM) held a very fruitful and cordial meeting with The Ceylon Motor Traders' Association (CMTA) last week..............
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CMTA wants Govt. to register all vehicle importers to stem forex loss, flood of cars
October 05, 2018
The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) yesterday, whilst empathising with the Government predicament over rising shipments and loss of foreign exchange, called for registration of all vehicle importers............
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Rapid increase in importing small cars during past nine months: CMTA
October 04, 2018
There was a rapid increase in importing of vehicles less than 1,000 CC engine capacity to Sri Lanka in the first half of this year, The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) today said............
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Number of vehicles imported into SL not justified by market size – CMTA
October 04, 2018
The CMTA feels that there is a glut of vehicles imported into Sri Lanka and the numbers imported are not justified by the size of the market. Many of these vehicles are imported by individuals or private dealers who have the capacity to stock large volumes............
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CMTA responds to Govt changes on import of Motor Vehicles
October 04, 2018
The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA), established in 1920 is one of the most senior automotive trade associations in the region, and represents the worlds’ leading automotive manufacturers, through their local agents, in Sri Lanka.............
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Motor vehicle traders not happy with drastic policy changes
October 04, 2018
The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA), has raised concerns over the drastic policy changes in Sri Lanka.Established in 1920 is one of the most senior automotive trade associations in the region, CMTA represents the worlds’ leading automotive manufacturers, through their local agents, in Sri Lanka..............
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Sri Lankan new car importers call for controls on competition
October 04, 2018
Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) has urged Sri Lanka’s government to regulate vehicle imports by registering all importers including individuals, saying new import limits prompted by a glut of small cars had hit their earnings, as a soft-peg of the rupee came under pressure from unsterilized excess liquidity geneated by the central bank in July and August 2018...............
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CMTA against opening up Govt. procurement to used vehicles
August 21, 2018
Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association (CMTA) yesterday protested opening up Government tenders for used cars, arguing that dealing with the manufacturer would result in the best prices. ...........
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CMTA clarifies procurement process issue
August 21, 2018
The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) issued a statement regarding the issue of vehicle procurement under Government tenders. The statement is reproduced below............
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CMTA versus competition for vehicle procurement
August 21, 2018
The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) in a communique sates that it was not in favour of creating competition in vehicle procurement............
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CMTA hopes govt. will continue to follow int’l practices when procuring vehicles
August 21, 2018
Amid the calls to open up the government tenders to the used or non-brand-new vehicle importers, the Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association (CMTA) yesterday urged the government not to move away from the internationally accepted procurement processes. ...........
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Authorities urged to maintain procurement procedures for vehicles
August 20, 2018
The Government has been urged not to deviate from the present procurement procedures for motor vehicles............
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Authorities urged to maintain procurement procedures for vehicles
August 20, 2018
The Government has been urged not to deviate from the present procurement procedures for motor vehicles............
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Sri Lanka auto agents urge govt not to increase competition in vehicle procurement
August 20, 2018
Ceylon Motor Traders Association, representing agents of global automakers has urged Sri Lanka not to increase competition in tenders for vehicle procurement by allowing other importers to bid............
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Duty changes on vehicles: Motor traders call for dialogue
August 05, 2018
The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) which was established in 1920 and represents all major international motor manufacturers in Sri Lanka, says they understand the rationale behind government’s policy decision on duty hike to stem imports of small cars but called for a dialogue on long term policies to reduce uncertainty among industry and consumers alike...........
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Importers appeal for swifter Customs law
June 25, 2018
Fast-tracking new Customs legislation, greater stakeholder engagement and speedier implementation of Government policy is imperative for Sri Lanka's economy to adapt to an increasingly challenging environment, a top official said recently..........
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CMTA urges for policy to take automotive industry to next level
June 13, 2018
To be on par with the rapidly changing dynamics of the ever-changing automotive industry, the Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) called on the Government for a policy to take the country's motor industry to the next level.........
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Global automotive industry undergoing massive changes - CMTA
June 11, 2018
The Global Automotive Industry is undergoing massive changes from Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) to electric and Sri Lanka too is falling in line with this trend, said Chairman Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) Sheran Fernando addressing their 98th AGM.....
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Unit rate-based duty failed to achieve government revenue targets: CMTA
June 11, 2018
The unit rate-based duty scheme on vehicle imports has failed to realise the government revenue targets while causing additional foreign exchange outflows from the country.....
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Vehicle Importers: Can't meet Euro IV standards by July 1
March 29, 2018
Ceylon Motor Traders' Association (CMTA) yesterday claimed that they required more time for transition on Government's decision to change to importing vehicles compatible with the Euro four standards from July 1....
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Euro IV fuel standard triggers auto industry crisis
February 19, 2018
State plans to introduce Euro IV engines and safety features for new vehicle imports have created a crisis situation in the auto sector, motor traders say.....
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Motor traders in dilemma over abrupt Euro IV implementation
February 19, 2018
The recent Budget proposal to introduce Euro 4 engines and the safety features to be implemented by January 31, 2017 has seriously created a crisis situation in the Auto Industry....
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Hasty changes not healthy for ailing motor industry- CMTA
August 31, 2017
While welcoming the initiative taken for duty reduction on motor cycles and small trucks Ceylon Motor Traders Association's (CMTA's) view is that sudden changes of that nature is not healthy for the industry, said CMTA Chairman Reeza Rauf.
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Ceylon Motor Traders Association AGM
August 18, 2017
The 97th Annual General Meeting of the Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) was held at the Cinnamon Grand Colombo recently........
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Sri Lanka motor trade hits a snag
July 23, 2017
The motor trade in Sri Lanka is in a troublesome period once again with the usual short term and ad-hoc policy changes which hurt the industry in a big way. The adverse policies also have created a “no-level playing field” in the market whilst certain sectors especially used car imports continue to benefit....
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Auto agents say will continue to lobby govt. over short-sighted, discriminatory policies
July 04, 2017
The Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association (CMTA) said that it would continue to lobby the government with regard to the discriminatory, short-sighted and ad hoc policy changes, which keep on hurting the country’s legitimate auto industry...
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Govt’s short term- ad-hoc policy changers badly hurt auto industry
July 03, 2017
It has once again been a troublesome period for the Auto Industry in Sri Lanka with the usual short term and ad-hoc policy changers hurting the industry very much, opined reelected Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) Chairman Reeza Rauf........
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The Ceylon Motor Trader's Association AGM
June 27, 2017
The 97th AGM of the CMTA will be held on Friday 30 June 2017.
Police in civvies to nab traffic offences
May 03, 2017
Police Officers in civvies will be deployed on May 4, to monitor the traffic violations and lane law violations in Colombo city, a senior police officer said.....
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CMTA says vehicle assembly with used spare parts against Customs laws
April 06, 2017
The Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association (CMTA) yesterday said the decision by the government to allow the assembling of motor vehicles locally with used imported spare parts violates the Customs regulations and endangers the lives of the buyers of such vehicles......
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CMTA concerned over vehicle assembling scams
April 06, 2017
The Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association (CMTA) said it is concerned over the recent decision by the government to allow assembling of motor vehicles locally by using imported used spare parts.......
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Motor Traders fume over Govt. move to allow vehicle assembly with used spare parts
April 06, 2017
The Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association yesterday expressed concern over the recent decision by the Government to allow the assembling of motor vehicles locally by using imported used spare parts........
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Motor traders slam vehicle assembly approval
April 06, 2017
The Ceylon Motor Traders' Association (CMTA) in a statement has raised concerns over the recent government decision to permit assembling motor vehicles locally, using imported used spare parts, and urged President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to look into the issue and take appropriate measures to rectify it.........
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CMTA raises issue over 'imported used spare parts
April 05, 2017
'The Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association is concerned over the recent decision by the government, where it allowed the assembling of motor vehicles locally by using imported used spare parts.......
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Sri Lanka vehicle assembly with used spares violates Customs rule: CMTA
April 05, 2017
Sri Lankan agents representing global automobile manufacturers have slammed a government decision to allow assembly of vehicles with imported used spare parts, saying it raises safety concerns and breaks Customs rules........
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SL lubricant players concerned over tax hike on synthetic lubricants
March 22, 2017
The recent steep rise in duty and tax imposed by the Sri Lankan government on synthetic lubricants effective mid-November is causing alarm in the market, as lubricant suppliers are now starting to pass on the hike to the end users, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) said in a media statement. .. .
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Lubricant players concerned over duty hike on synthetic lubricants
March 22, 2017
Sri Lanka’s lubricant suppliers are starting to pass the tax imposed on synthetic lubricants to end users, the Ceylon Motor Traders Association warned.. .. .
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Step on the gas in Sri Lanka - Reeza Rauf
September 11, 2016
The Global Fuel Economy Initiative is supporting Sri Lanka to assess the fuel economy of its vehicle fleet numbering around 4.5 million and develop new policy measures.. .
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Vehicle tax collection seen falling amidst drop in sales and under-invoicing
September 11, 2016
The Government has promised Sri Lanka’s motor trade that a controversial form of taxation on vehicles will only be for a period of two years. This is in reference to the unit rate of excise duty for the vehicles on the basis of cubic centimetre which is expected to raise revenue of Rs. 20 billion, according to government target.. .
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Ad hoc policy changes jolt to Automobile Industry- Reeza Rauf
June 27, 2016
In the last couple of months or so the policies with regard to the automobile industry has been very ad hoc. Policies in the last 12-13 months have changes almost 14 times, said new Chairman Ceylon Motor Trader Association(CMTA), Reeza Rauf. .
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CMTA urges Finance Ministry to reconsider issuance of vehicle import permits to taxpayers
September 25, 2015
The Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) has handed over a written request to the Finance Ministry to reconsider the directive taken to stop the issuance of vehicle import permits to taxpayers.
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The Imposition of a Loan to Value (LTV) Ratio for Loans and Advances in Respect of Motor Vehicles
September 15, 2015
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has observed with concern the recent growth of exposure of banks and financial institutions to certain categories of lending, including lending in respect of motor vehicles.
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The Ceylon Motor Show 2015
March 10, 2015
The Ceylon Motor Show will be held from Friday 08th May to Sunday 10th May 2015 at the BMICH, Colombo.
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Ceylon Motor Traders' Association holds 94th AGM
August 27, 2014
The 94th Annual General Meeting of the Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association that comes under the aegis of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was held at the Taj Samudra Hotel on Friday 8 August amidst a large gathering of members and invitees. The Chief Guest was Commissioner of Motor Traffic S.H. Harischandra. Gihan Pilapitiya of United Motors Lanka PLC was elected as Chairman of the Association for 2014/2015
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Arbitrary policies bust the auto trade
August 12, 2014
Ceylon FT: Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association Chairman stressed concerns over the current policies which used the automobile industry as a frisky tool to harmonize intensified stress caused by other economic instabilities.
The automobile trade today is the most affected and most sensitive trade especially at the hands of the policy makers.
It is unfortunate that, today the automobile industry is used as a frisky tool by policy makers in harmonizing the intensifying economic stress caused by various other economic instabilities,said the newly appointed Chairman of the Ceylon Motor . . .
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Policy makers targeting auto trade:CMTA
August 11, 2014
Policy makers are using baseless arguments to target auto traders with successive policies, according to Ceylon Motor Traders Association Incoming Chairman Gihan Pilapitiya.
Pilapitiya said the Association must not just hurl accusations at the authorities but face the challenges by having the house in order.
The members would have to rethink their promotional and publicity strategies, pool their knowledge and resources together, and leverage their past successes in negotiations for future policy making.
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Ceylon Motor Traders Association cries 'foul'
June 19, 2014
Ceylon Motor Traders Association (CMTA) yesterday cried foul over the Customs decision to disregard the declared transaction price and adopt a new valuation process of their own, which is based on the retail prices applicable in a foreign country.
It warned that the move results in significant damage to the motor industry.
CMTA Chairman Tilak Gunasekera said: 'Sri Lanka is a signatory to the GAT agreement, which requires all signatories to base customs duty on 'transacted values'. All brand new motor vehicle importers have followed this process. '
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Lankan motor trade urges authorities to review new vehicle valuation system
June 17, 2014
“Sri Lankan motor traders are urging the Treasury to review the new valuation system now being implemented by the Customs as most of them struggling to clear imported vehicles, a senior official of the Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association said.
According to Finance Ministry guidelines issued recently, Customs authorities have been empowered to make the valuation of the imported vehicle....
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Sri Lankan motor traders worry over Customs valuation of imported vehicles
May 25, 2014
“Sri Lanka should follow the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement on customs valuation for a fair, uniform and neutral system for the valuation of goods for customs purposes — a system that conforms to commercial realities,” he opined.The declared imported value of a vehicle depends on the country of importation therefore it is essential to follow a system that conforms to commercial realities, he said.
Citing an example, he said that the price of a BMW in England is different from the same product price in Brazil or France.
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Tax cuts to boost transport and logistics sector
March 02, 2014
Tilak Gunasekera, President of the Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association, who is also the CEO and Executive Director of Sathosa Motors Plc, told the Business Times that taxes in this category were increased to 26 per cent from 15 per cent before the 2014 budget in September and to 49.6 percent from 26 per cent after the budget in January 2014. The association has urged the Government to reconsider the tax revision imposed twice within four months which is exerting an adverse impact on the vehicle import industry that has been hit by fluctuating duty for the past several years
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India’s Bajaj quadricycle dream stutters in Sri Lanka
February 13, 2014 2:02 am
Tilak Gunasekera, President of the Ceylon Motor Traders’ Association, who is also the CEO and Executive Director of Sathosa Motors Plc, told the Business Times that taxes in this category were increased to 26 per cent from 15 per cent before the 2014 budget in September and to 49.6 percent from 26 per cent after the budget in January 2014. The association has urged the Government to reconsider the tax revision imposed twice within four months which is exerting an adverse impact on the vehicle import industry that has been hit by fluctuating duty for the past several years
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