SL Government to Allow Electric Car Imports by Migrant Workers to Promote Remittances

The Cabinet of Ministers has given the approval to two proposals made by the Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara to promote migrant worker remittance through official channels.

The Minister says that a system to provide a license to import an electric vehicle equivalent to 50% of remittance transmitted through legal channels was approved by the Cabinet.

If a migrant worker has transferred more than USD 3,000 will be allowed to import an electric motorcycle. Meanwhile, those who have transferred more than USD 20,000 will be permitted to import an electric car priced half of the amount transmitted to Sri Lanka, up to a maximum of USD 65,000. However, they should also purchase or import a solar power system to provide the required electricity to charge the vehicle they are importing, as these electric vehicles are not allowed to be charged through the national grid, Minister Nanayakkara said. The circular regarding the number of electric vehicles that are allowed to be imported through this new system is expected to be published soon.

He also mentioned that Minister of Energy Kanchana Wijesekara agreed to a proposal to provide a fuel pass to Tourists, Migrant workers, and Dual Citizens who are willing to pay in USDs at the airport. They would not need to stay in queues for fuel once they obtain the fuel pass, the Minister said.