Indika Sampath Merinchige, President of the Sri Lanka Vehicle Importers Association, has issued a special statement regarding recent allegations that John Keells Holdings imported BYD vehicles by manipulating engine capacity figures and exploiting tax loopholes.
Mr. Merinchige acknowledged that it appears John Keells may have made an error in the import process. However, he strongly criticized the remarks made by Dr. Harsha de Silva—former State Minister and current Member of Parliament—during a recent Finance Committee session.
He described Dr. de Silva’s comments as highly inappropriate, particularly coming from someone regarded as an educated and intelligent leader. Mr. Merinchige stressed that defending a potential mistake by a major investor sets a concerning precedent.
He further pointed out that if fraudulent activity has taken place, such matters should not be overlooked in order to protect international stakeholders. Transparency, he said, is not only expected within the country but also by the international community.
The Association President commended the current government for its honest approach and urged other nations and investors to operate with the same level of transparency.
In conclusion, Mr. Merinchige stated that if investigations confirm that these BYD vehicles were not properly taxed, they should be re-exported in accordance with the relevant Gazette notification.
