Over 2000 hybrids lie idle at Hambantota Port
View(s):More than 2,000 hybrid cars have been unloaded at the Hambantota Port recently and vehicle importers are delaying clearing the cars due to massive increase in hybrid prices after the tax hike in the January 29th interim budget, official sources revealed.Car dealers said that they were finding it difficult to clear the vehicles imported as the price hike due to the taxes, currency fluctuation and delay charges would amount to more than Rs. 1 million per vehicle.
Sampath Merenchige, President of the Vehicle Importers’ Association of Lanka, said that due to the new taxes, prices of hybrid cars awaiting clearance at the port have increased.
He said some of the importers have decided to cancel the Letters of Credit opened, before the tax was announced, to import the cars.
“Some of the importers who have placed their orders from Japan have decided to cancel the orders and auction these vehicles in Japan to offset the losses,” Mr. Merenchige said.
