The Government will appoint three committees to formulate policies in critical sectors, including vehicle imports, environmental conservation, and drug addiction prevention. This decision follows a high-level discussion led by Chief of Staff to the President Sagala Ratnayake and senior officials of the relevant fields.
One of the committees will oversee vehicle imports. This committee’s mandate is to consider the country’s foreign exchange reserves, the need to alleviate traffic congestion, address environmental concerns, and bolster local vehicle assembly.
A major aspect of this initiative is the proposal to introduce a vehicle quality certification and import system akin to Singapore, which could bring about notable improvements in the automotive sector. In Singapore, a Certificate Of Entitlement (COE) has to be procured to import or buy a vehicle.
The environmental policy committee is poised to introduce a comprehensive program aimed at preserving the nation’s natural resources, combatting deforestation, and mitigating mineral resource depletion.
This plan also includes the adoption of drone technology and the collaboration of the Security Forces and police to ensure more effective environmental protection.
In the domain of drug addiction prevention, the Government aims to work collaboratively with the Ministry of Public Security. This committee will not only formulate robust drug prevention policies but also focus on curbing large-scale drug smuggling into the country.
Several such attempts have been thwarted in recent months by the Navy and the Coast Guard.
