The government has taken measures to import vehicles required for the tourism industry especially for the transportation of tourists, Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister and Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana said.
He was speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing held yesterday at the Government Information Department.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal furnished by the Tourism and Lands Minister to import 750 vans with a seating capacity of 6 to 15 (electric and hybrid) and 250 buses with seating capacity from 6 to 30 which are small buses and larger buses with seating capacity of 30 to 45 for tourist transport without any special tax relief.
Although it is expected that vehicles engaged in the tourism industry for transportation of tourists should be less than six years old, it is apparent that the condition of the vehicles presently used for the transport of tourists are not satisfactory and as a result the fame earned by Sri Lanka as a prominent tourist destination is being tarnished.
Ishara Mudugamuwa