Sri Lanka, Feb. 1 -- A gazette notification has been issued under the signature of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, lifting the import ban on private cars, electric cars, hybrid vehicles, motorcycles, and bicycles.

The decision was formalized through special regulations issued to the Controller of Imports and Exports. The import ban, initially imposed in 2020 due to the economic crisis, was gradually eased in phases. The first two phases allowed the import of vehicles used in the tourism industry, buses, vans, lorries, and double cabs, but restrictions on personal-use vehicles remained.

Under the new regulations, the import of all motor vehicles, including those for public transport, goods tran...