A pre-budget discussion on the automobile and electronic equipment industries was held yesterday (16) at the Presidential Secretariat, chaired by Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Dr. Anil Jayantha Perananthu.
Importers of automobiles and electronic goods pledged full support for the government’s economic development programs led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Vehicle importers also submitted several proposals for the upcoming budget, noting that recent policy decisions had broadened the sector.
Electronic goods importers raised concerns over unregulated imports by organized groups, which undermine quality standards, distort the market, and deprive the government of significant tax revenue. They urged prompt government intervention.
Minister Dr. Perananthu assured that all constructive proposals will be considered in preparing the budget and emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring quality imports, even by introducing new regulations if necessary. He also stressed that strict legal action will be taken against groups evading taxes through illegal imports.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Presidential Senior Additional Secretary Kapila Janaka Bandara, Export Development Board Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe, Finance Ministry officials, and representatives from the automobile and electronics import industries.