Slow Transport

Sept 01, 2009 (LBO) - Vehicle imports to Sri Lanka fell 35.





5 percent in June with motor cars falling 70.6 percent, three wheelers, 33.6 percent and motor cycles 24.1 percent, the latest official data shows.



In the 6-months to June total vehicles imports were down 33.4 percent, according to data released by the Central Bank.

In June 2009, Sri Lanka imported 15,379 vehicles against 23,856 in June 2008.

Fifteen buses were imported in June (43 in 2008), 551 motor cars (1,871 in 2008), 2,650 three wheelers (3,988 in 2008), 104 dual purposes vehicles (292), 10,427 motor cycles (13,743 in 2008), 475 (goods transport vehicles) and 1,157 land vehicles (2669).

In the 6-months to June imported vehicles fell to 99,993 from 136,592 a year earlier.

Bus imports were down to 253 (655 in 2008), motor cars 3,382 (10,208), three wheelers 16,419 (21,140), dual purpose vehicles 596 (1,586), motor cycles 59,927 (79,866), goods transport vehicles 2,856 (7,826) and land vehicles 7,560 (11,933).

Sri Lanka's economic growth slowed to 1.

5 percent in the first quarter and in late 2008 restrictions were also placed on import letters of credit for vehicles, amid a balance of payments crisis.

The restricti