After the Mobile Phone Importers’ Association apprised Minister Manusha Nanayakkara of the smuggling of mobile phones into the country using individuals as carriers, he explained the matter to State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya and the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission authorities and urged them to take necessary action to stop the racket.
The Mobile Phone Importers’ Association told Minister Nanayakkara that the smuggling racket deprives the government of tax revenue and poses a threat to the national security,
These facts were revealed at a discussion held on Friday (27) between the Mobile Phone Importers’ Association and the Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara.
The Mobile Phone Importers’ Association told the Minister that immediate action should be taken to stop the racket.
The Association told the Minister that due to the importation of mobile phones in this illegal manner, in 2021 alone around US$ 220 million has been transferred to foreign destinations illegally through the undiyal system, and the tax revenue lost to the government is estimated to be around Rs. 7.8 billion.
The Association pointed out to the Minister that importing mobile phones without registration in this way also affects national security and that the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission has no record of such mobile phones.
Minister Nanayakkara assured that necessary measures to stop the illegal importation of mobile phones will be taken with the intervention of the State Minister for Finance and the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission.
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