Sri Lanka has raised import duties on several categories of petrol-engine cars and three wheelers with steeper increases seen in larger hybrid vehicles, which had exceptionally low taxes earlier, officials said.
A senior Treasury official said there were revisions on several categories of vehicles.
On petrol cars with standard engines with capacities below 1,000 cubic centimeters the effective total tax rate will go up from the current 95 percent to 120 percent.
Between 1000 to 1,600 cc the effective rate will go up from 119 to 128 percent. On three wheelers the effective rate will go up from 38 percent to 50 percent.
On hybrid cars with engines below 2,000 cubic centimeters total duties will go up from 38 percent close to 50 percent.
Deputy director general of customs Ajantha Dias said an excise duty was raised by 8.0 percent on small hybrids but it will take up the total duties by a larger amount when added together.
On hybrids between 2,000 to 3000 cc duty will go up close to 75 percent and above 3,000 cc to 100 percent.
At the current rates even the large hybrids are taxed at a lower rate than smaller petrol cars.
Total taxes on all petrol and diesel cars above 1600cc will remain unchanged.
 Tax Notice (Sinhala) Import Duty Draft |
