Questions raised on Manusha’s EV permit scheme for expats

The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has refused to approve a gazette notification submitted by the Finance Ministry over the Electric Vehicle (EV) importation scheme provided to Sri Lankans working abroad, citing lack of transparency.The program was initiated by the Labour Ministry under Minister Manusha Nanayakkara.
Since the Ministry of Labor and Foreign Employment has refused to provide information regarding those who have imported vehicles when requested by the Ministry of Finance, instructions given to provide all information including the party denoted as the Facilitator.
Since there is no transparency in the scheme of providing fully electric vehicle licenses to Sri Lankans working abroad and it appears that there are many issues pertaining to the matter, CoPF Chair – Dr. Harsha de Silva instructed that a full analysis need to carried out jointly with the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank, Sri Lanka Customs and the Ministry of Labor and Foreign Employment.
The Chair further instructed that a report be submitted within two weeks on the said.
Furthermore, until the analysis is received, it is not possible to give approval to the relevant gazette extending the period of licensing, the Chairman of the Committee Said.
When preparing this analytical report, it was also instructed to find out whether foreign remittances, which is the desired objective, have been received at a significant level through this system, or if some persons have misused this facility when preparing this analytical report.
The Committee Chair stated the said when the CoPF took into discussion the Gazette No. 2368/24 published to extend the period of the scheme for providing fully electric vehicle license to Sri Lankans employed abroad until September 30, 2024.
According to the circular issued by the Ministry of Labor and Foreign Employment, the scheme of providing fully electric vehicle licenses to Sri Lankans employed abroad was implemented and luxury car tax concessions of up to 12 million rupees were given to workers who have remitted $20,000 or more to the country. The period of this scheme, which was implemented for the first time from the gazette published on the 10th February 2023, has been extended by the gazette issued on 31st May 2023 and further extended by the gazette of 24.01.2024.
The Committee Chair further stated that although the Ministry of Finance had requested the Ministry of Labor and Foreign Employment to provide all relevant information including the persons whose vehicles were brought from the beginning of this process, the Ministry of Labor and Foreign Employment has informed that the Attorney General should be inquired about the provision of confidential and private information. However, the Committee pointed out that there is no transparency or proper regulation here.
In this context, the Chair stated that many allegations of various irregularities have been reported to the Committee and also stated that through this, vehicles with a tax relief amounting to Rs. 100 million have been imported. It was disclosed that 1019 licenses have been granted so far and 109.8 million USD remittances have been received through this. The officials also said that the value of the licenses granted so far amounts to 46 million dollars.
The Committee Chair pointed out that even if these remittances are added to the account at once, irregularities may occur in the qualification of a foreign worker for this facility and through this system various smugglers will also be given space for money laundering. Furthermore, it was discussed during the Committee that there is a doubt whether the workers who do normal jobs have brought such valuable vehicles. It was also emphasized here that irregularities should not be allowed to happen as this is the only opportunity available for importing vehicles in a background where the import of vehicles is prohibited.
Furthermore, the Chair pointed out that there is a group called Facilitator in this process and no information about them has been given. Accordingly, the Ministry of Labor and Foreign Employment was instructed to provide the same information immediately. Accordingly, the Committee Chair stated that he will have to consider all the information in the future and take a decision on giving approval to this gazette.
In addition, three orders published in Special Gazette Nos. 2371/48, 2371/49 and 2371/50 under the Foreign Exchange Act, Extra Ordinary Gazette No. 2369/27 and 2374/19 published under the Finance Act No. 25 of 2003 were also considered to which approval was given.
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The Inspector General of Police informed the Supreme Court that five Police OICs, who were previously transferred due to their failure to prevent the burning of Ministers’ houses during a period of the Aragalaya, have now been assigned suitable police stations in accordance with the agreement reached in court.
The Fundamental Rights petitions filed by five Police OICs were revisited before the Supreme Court.
The three-member Supreme Court bench, Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Gamini Amarasekara, and A.H.M.D. Nawaz presided over the proceedings.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne, representing the IGP, confirmed that suitable police stations had been allocated to the petitioners as per the prior court agreement.
Consequently, the three petitioner OICs expressed their consent to assume responsibility for these designated police stations, leading the bench to close the hearing on their petitions.
However, the legal representatives of the remaining two petitioner police officers conveyed their refusal to accept the police stations proposed by the Inspector General of Police.
Furthermore, the officers informed the court that their positions had been downgraded.
As a result, the bench scheduled a subsequent session on May 29 to deliberate on the petitions submitted by the two petitioning Police Station OICs.
President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris, appeared on behalf of the petitioners.
(News 1st)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News 1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

Admission of students to intermediate grades in government schools and government-approved private schools will not be based on sports skills, the Ministry of Education has announced.
A media release by the ministry states that in the future, admissions for intermediate grades would be granted only based on the instructions provided to schools via a ministry circular in this regard.
The media release adds that all school principals have been notified in this regard.

Former Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, now the Patron of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), delivered a stark critique of the current political climate in Sri Lanka during a recent address.
Kumaratunga expressed her concerns about the prevailing state of politics, emphasizing the pursuit of power through questionable means and the prevalence of dynastic politics within the nation.
Kumaratunga highlighted the troubling trend of individuals with dubious backgrounds occupying positions of power, noting the need for a departure from such practices.
Refusing to align herself with the current political establishment, she declined an offer to chair the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, citing her commitment to ethical governance.
“Today, our political leaders behave as though there was never an Aragalaya, at least from what I can observe. I find it baffling—the state of politics today. It seems the entire nation is bent on pursuing power through unsavory means. Merely holding onto power seems to be sufficient, enjoying the perks that accompany it, regardless of the consequences for the country or its people. I have never engaged in such politics,” she said.
Responding to allegations of potential collaboration between the SLFP and the United National Party (UNP), Kumaratunga vehemently denied any intention to support the UNP, reaffirming her dedication to strengthening the SLFP.
She expressed confidence in the party’s potential for revitalization through the infusion of new leadership.
Addressing questions about potential presidential candidates from the SLFP, Kumaratunga acknowledged the party’s current challenges and emphasized the need for concerted efforts to rebuild its strength.
She lamented missed opportunities in the past and underscored the importance of strategic planning and unity within the party.
Regarding recent media briefings by SLFP members at various locations, Kumaratunga cautioned against actions that could further divide party supporters.
Reflecting on her own political journey, Kumaratunga reiterated her commitment to stepping away from active politics at a designated age, contrasting her approach with those who cling to power beyond their term.
She acknowledged her return to politics in 2015, driven by a desire for honest leadership, but expressed disappointment in the outcome.
“When I assumed office, I made a commitment to the people that I would step away from active politics at the age of sixty. Unlike some, I refuse to cling to power with a wheelchair and a walking stick. True to my word, I retired from politics in 2005 upon reaching sixty years of age. For years thereafter, I remained steadfast in my resolve, resisting any attempts by the Rajapaksas to draw me back into the political arena. Despite their relentless efforts to undermine me after handing over the leadership of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, I held my ground against their onslaught. However, circumstances compelled me to reenter politics in 2015. I united several parties to form an alliance, driven by our shared aspiration for a leadership untainted by corruption and deceit. Yet, our ambitions were dashed. It became increasingly evident to me that post-2019, the prospect of clear and honest leadership in our nation was dim,” she elaborated
Responding candidly to inquiries about Maithripala Sirisena’s presidency, Kumaratunga admitted regret over supporting his candidacy and sought to rectify the decision through legal avenues.
(News 1st)
(This story, originally published by News 1st has not been edited by SLM staff)
