Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has announced that Sri Lanka will soon lift remaining restrictions on vehicle imports, allowing citizens greater freedom in purchasing and owning vehicles of their choice.

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has signaled the government's intention to fully liberalize vehicle imports, marking a significant shift from the country's recent import suspension policies. Speaking at the Motor Rally 2026 Vehicle Exhibition Parade organized by the Sri Lanka Auto Importers Association on Sunday, Herath emphasized the government's commitment to enabling citizens to purchase and use vehicles without constraints.

The Minister highlighted the dramatic change in import policy over the past two years. He recalled that vehicle imports were completely halted just two years ago, but the government has since reopened the sector. According to Herath, the current regulatory environment now permits the importation of any vehicle type without restriction, representing substantial progress from the previous blanket ban.

Herath acknowledged that temporary constraints remain in place due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, but characterized these limitations as short-term measures that will eventually be removed. He attributed the government's ability to restart the import sector to improvements in economic conditions, suggesting that fiscal stability enabled the policy reversal. The Minister stated that the government intends to implement broader reforms to facilitate greater personal mobility and ease of travel for citizens.

Herath pledged continued government commitment to removing barriers that affect daily life, though he did not specify timelines for when remaining restrictions would be lifted. His remarks reflect the administration's broader economic liberalization agenda following the country's previous period of severe import controls.