Import restrictions on more items to be eased

COLOMBO: Restrictions imposed on imported goods will be further relaxed by the first week of September, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says.

Thereby, import restrictions on 300 more items are expected be eased.

The government has relaxed restrictions on hundreds of imported goods including electronic equipment, sanitaryware and food items on several occasions this year as the economy is bouncing back.

Import controls were imposed in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and later due to the foreign exchange crisis which was deepened by the reduced foreign currency inflows.

However, restrictions on vehicle imports which were banned in March 2020 stand to continue.