Government has not imposed a total ban on imports: P.B.

The Government has not banned imports, only some 'big-ticket items' such as motor vehicles are stopped from being imported, Secretary to the President Dr. P. B. Jayasundera said.

If the choice is between the importation of motor vehicles by spending USD 1500 million per year or to honour your debt obligations, he said that he would advise the government to first honour its debt obligations. The government has not stopped imports of raw materials. The apparel industry which collapsed by March because of lockdown measures in 2020 has bounced back and exports are now back in the same level as before the Covid pandemic.

The country imports textiles, we import various other requirements and these things are happening. Trade is taking place, except for some big-ticket items like motor vehicle imports or gold imports. So, the country has not stopped imports.Trade is not an instrument to use as a leverage to gain something. It is to develop a bilateral relationship," he added.

He said that he held a discussion with the German Ambassador and that he did not bring up any trade restrictions.

They are also turning to countries like us. Because our country has so many positives that they can speak of, and we have trade with Germany, he said, adding that the government is unable to permit the importation of motor vehicles but, medical drugs, pharmaceutical equipment, advanced technology, tourism and spare parts and things like that which can come in from Germany are allowed.