Due to an issue regarding the declared motor capacity used for tax calculation, around 1,000 BYD electric vehicles manufactured in China and imported into Sri Lanka have reportedly been seized by Sri Lanka Customs in six separate shipments.
During a media inquiry, Customs media spokesperson and Additional Director General Sivali Arukgoda stated that they could not reveal much about the matter at this time, except that an investigation has been initiated regarding a consignment of BYD vehicles.
It is reported that the release of these vehicles has been suspended due to suspicions that a vehicle declared as having a 100 kW motor capacity actually contains a 150 kW motor.
For a 100 kW electric vehicle, the import duty is approximately LKR 2.4 million, while for a 150 kW motor vehicle, the duty can increase to around LKR 5.4 million.
The BYD vehicles under suspension arrived in six separate consignments on two different days this month.
It is common for traditional piston engine cars to come in the same model but with different engine sizes. For instance, a mid-sized petrol car model might be available with 1300cc, 1500cc, or 1800cc engines.
However, in the case of electric vehicles, Customs has not yet confirmed whether the manufacturer has limited or downgraded the motor output. Reports suggest that the motor installed in the vehicles is physically the same.
More than 1,000 of these vehicles have already been sold to customers by JKCG Auto (John Keells CG Auto), the official importer.
It is further reported that over 1,000 vehicles have already been handed over to end users.
The BYD Atto 3 model with a 100 kW motor is sold in some markets. It is also reported that the same model with a 150 kW motor is also available for sale.
According to the BYD Singapore website, the Atto 3 model is sold there with a 100 kW motor that complies with Category A vehicle registration standards in Singapore.
JKCG Auto is the official importer of these vehicles into Sri Lanka.
This matter was also raised in Parliament by SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman.
However, when Mr. Mujibur Rahuman revealed this issue regarding BYD vehicles imported by John Keells, none of the MPs from the opposition or so-called economic experts spoke a word, which has raised eyebrows.
There have been several instances in the past where these economic “experts” remained silent on critical matters.
For instance, when a casino was started at the Off The Dream hotel in Colombo or when casino licenses were issued imposing a 45% income tax, these individuals did not speak up.
Similarly, when top companies were accused of evading taxes during the import of unrefined coconut oil, these economic commentators remained silent.
MP S.M.M. Marikkar is the only one who revealed in Parliament that these tax evasions were not minor and that the country lost billions in revenue.
Instead, some of these individuals have recently held discussions with various groups to bring back the Fortress Energy LNG project, which was signed and then abandoned during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s tenure.
Media reports also indicate that two influential figures from the UNP, who are not currently in Parliament, were also involved in those discussions.
Additionally, these “economic experts” have been accused of only speaking up when it concerns companies they are close to.
