The Sri Lankan Government implemented measures to protect the country’s currency by slapping a temporary vehicle import ban in March, 20 in the face of the COVID-19 threat.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan vehicle exporters in Japan, holding a special press conference in Tokyo stated that this decision by the Government is threatening the jobs of Sri Lankans involved in automobile industry in Japan and immediately requested the government to grant permissions for vehicles that were purchased to fulfill orders before March, 20.

“Our Sri Lankan Automobile Association immediately notify the Sri Lankan embassy in Tokyo to humbly request the Sri Lankan Government to help us export the vehicles that we have purchased before the import ban regulation was placed in March 20.We have still not seen a favorable response and this has resulted pushing most of our Sri Lankan businesses towards bankruptcy and directly, indirectly involving 2000 Sri Lankans working in Japan in this automobile industry. We hope that the Sri Lankan Government would give us a favorable relief to release the vehicles that we have purchased before March 20 and this is a humble request from Sri Lankan exporters in Japan," a representative from the Association said.