COLOMBO: On a representation made by a group of Muslim parliamentarians jointly initiated by Justice Minister Ali Sabry and Marjan Faleel, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa directed the ministry of finance to remove “ Dates’ from the 367 non-essential items gazetted for import licence early this week.
Speaking to Colombo Times, Faleel said that consumption of dates during the month of holy Ramadan is one of the main customs observed by Muslims during the time of breakfast (Iftar).
Prime Minister was kind enough to understand the need of the community and allowed it as an essential item during this period which would be free of customs implications.”Marjan also said that dates that donated from abroad to mosques will also be made duty free during this period of Ramadan.
The dates that was sold for Rs 500 per kilo shot upto Rs 1,000 on Friday when the food item was included in the non-essential items.
Muslim MPs who met the prime minister on Friday at the parliament included, Ishak U Rahman, Ali Sabry Raheem,Faisal Cassim, Mohammed Musharaff. M S Thowfeek, Nazeer Ahamed and SM Harees.
A Gazette Extraordinary was issued by the Department of Import and Export Control limiting the import of 367 non-essential goods into Sri Lanka unless with a valid licence.
Thereby, the Imports and Exports Control Regulation No 05 of 2022; Imposing requirement of Import Control License (ICL) on selected items comes into effect at midnight Wednesday (March 09).The relevant gazette notification was issued by Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa.
The regulations prescribed in the communiqué are only applicable to the importation of goods, which have the date of Bill of Lading/Airway Bill on or after March 10.
Licence to import the specified non-essential items will be issued subject to the recommendation of the Secretary to the Finance Ministry.
Any importers who wish to import the specified goods are thereby required to be in possession of a valid licence issued by the Controller-General of Imports and Exports Control, prior to the date of the Bill of Lading/Airway Bill of such importation.
