Customs to Release 991 BYD Vehicles under Court-Approved Conditions
- CNL Reporter
- August 8, 2025
- News, Political
- BYD Vehicles
- 0 Comments
Sri Lanka Customs has agreed to release 991 detained BYD vehicles, following a settlement reached before the Court of Appeal today (7), subject to strict conditions.
The decision came after John Keells CG Auto, the authorised BYD distributor in Sri Lanka, petitioned against the prolonged detention of the vehicles. The case was heard before Appeal Court President Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando.
Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardena, presenting a letter from the Customs Director General, said the release would be allowed if the company placed nearly Rs. 3.6 billion — the calculated tax difference — as a guarantee in a state bank and agreed to pay applicable interest.
The company must also fully cooperate with ongoing Customs investigations. Additionally, a special committee of experts from the Universities of Peradeniya and Moratuwa, the Government Analyst’s Department, and the Department of Motor Traffic will verify whether the vehicles’ motor capacity is 100 or 150 kilowatts.
After the petitioner agreed to these terms, Customs confirmed to the court its consent for the vehicles’ release, potentially ending a high-profile dispute that has held up the consignment for months.
