Following the revelations of MP Mujibur Rahman ( More information here ), Sri Lankan Customs has reportedly detained around 1,000 BYD electric vehicles imported from China due to a motor capacity issue.
A few days ago, MP Mujibur Rahman had accused the government, saying, “We do not know if the main company importing those vehicles has any connection with the government. Just as that container went out, this one also went out with low taxes.” Within days of the BYD racket being exposed, Sri Lankan Customs has reportedly detained around 1,000 BYD electric vehicles.
Although the importers had declared a motor capacity of 100 kilowatts, Customs has said that the motor capacity of these vehicles is 150 kilowatts.
The tax on a 100 kW car is Rs. 2.4 million, but the tax on a 150 kW car is reported to be around Rs. 5.4 million.
These BYD vehicles, imported into the country in six batches, arrived in Sri Lanka in two days this month and are currently being held at the port.
It is reported that after charging the applicable tax on a 150 kW car that was illegally imported as a 100 kW vehicle, a buyer or importer of the vehicle may have to pay an additional Rs. 3.4 million.
