The decision to increase the prices of cars was made after also considering a request by the vehicle importers, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake asserted.
The observation was made while speaking at a press conference held in Colombo this afternoon (31).
“We had received written requests from the importers in this regard,” Karunanayake pointed out. He also went on to say price of trishaws also increased due to an appeal by the three-wheeler drivers’ association.
Meanwhile, he said Japan will lend $4.2 billion to Sri Lanka through both a loan and bond financing.
“Japan has committed $2.9 billion at a low interest rate of 0.01 percent over the next two years and it’s up to us to utilise the full amount,” Ravi Karunanayake told reporters.
“A $1.3 billion dollar samurai bond will be also issued in Japan,” he said.
(With inputs from Reuters)
