COLOMBO (NewsRadio); State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has assured to relax the import restrictions imposed on several products in the next few months.
State Minister Siyambalapitiya said they were compelled to impose restrictions on 1,465 types of products owing to the forex shortage in the country earlier this year.
He said the government has already lifted restrictions imposed on 795 products.
Speaking to media in Ruwanwella, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said the government must completely ban the import of certain products since some items are freely available in the country or can be produced locally.
He said 670 products are subject to import restrictions at present, but noted that some of those items should be banned altogether.
The State Minister of Finance questioned as to whether products such as coconut kernels, Vesak lanterns, and bamboo-related products should be allowed to import continuously.
He said in order to rebuild the country, certain difficult decisions must be taken.
