Deputy Finance Minister Refutes 4,000 Vehicle LC Claim Ahead of Surcharge

Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando has refuted opposition claims that 4,000 vehicle import Letters of Credit (LCs) were opened on May 15th, the day before a 50% surcharge was imposed. Speaking from Parliament, Fernando clarified that 1,782 LCs were actually opened, covering vehicles valued at USD 23.71 million. He described the opposition's figures as exaggerated and misleading. The minister also reiterated that the surcharge is a temporary measure to ease pressure on the dollar rate, not an outright ban on vehicle imports.