Civil servants to get cheaper cars

COLOMBO: The Government is offering drastic customs duty cuts to help civil servants import new cars, the Finance Ministry said yesterday.

The move fulfils a budget pledge made in 2005.

Senior public officials, including police and military personnel, with over five years of service will be entitled to import a car, sports utility vehicle or a pick-up truck by paying 25 per cent of the normal tax.

“We estimate around 20,000 or more public employees will be eligible to import cars under the concessionary tax scheme,” S. H. Samaratunge, Director General of the Finance Ministry, told AFP.

Those with five to 10 years of service can import a 11,500 dollar petrol powered car with 1.3 litre engine capacity by paying 25 percent of the normal tax.

They could also import a more economical 2.8 litre diesel vehicle up to a maximum value of 16,000 dollars by paying 45 per cent of the regular tax.

“Those eligible must import brand new vehicles,” Samaratunge said.