• Customs only clears EVs within approved capacity range
• No ban on new or luxury EV brands, say officials
• LCs permitted only for vehicles eligible under Motor Traffic Act
• EV imports surge after 2025 policy relaxation

While the Government has no plans to regulate the import of Electric Vehicles (EVs) into the country in terms of brands, it is expected to impose restrictions in terms of capacity, Government sources reveal.

Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, Deputy Minister of Transport and Highways Dr. Prasanna Gunasena stated that despite the influx of a large number of new EV brands to the country, they did not intend to regulate this influx.

The Deputy Minister added that the only restriction they would impose was in terms of engine capacity of the EVs.

“Sri Lanka Customs is currently releasing only the vehicles that fall within the capacity range permitted for registration by the Department of Motor Traffic under its act,” he stated.

Dr. Gunasena further stated that the process of opening Letters of Credit (LCs) was set up in such a manner that LCs could be opened only in respect of vehicles that would be cleared by Customs. 

Similar sentiments were expressed by Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security R.M. Jayawardana, who also confirmed that the Government had no plans to restrict the import of EVs based on brands.

“As of now, people are permitted to bring down any brand, from luxury vehicles to small ones, albeit under certain restrictions,” he stated.

Following the relaxation of the vehicle import ban in late January, Sri Lanka has seen a surge in the entry of previously unfamiliar electric vehicle brands into the market.