Govt Keeps the 3-Year Import Age Limit, Rejects 5 Years Again — Who Does That Protect?

Importers asked the government to allow used cars and SUVs up to 5 years old instead of the current 3-year limit, even offering to cap total import value to manage forex outflow. The government said no, keeping cars, SUVs and bikes at a strict 3-year age limit (vans, pickups, buses and lorries get 4-5 years), citing forex conservation and vehicle quality. Importers argue a 5-year window means more choice and cheaper landed prices per unit, since older Japanese auction stock costs far less than near-new. The government and new-car dealers counter that a tighter limit keeps newer tech, better fuel economy and safer cars coming in, and that letting in older stock just delays the inevitable scrap bill. But here's the catch people don't talk about enough: a 3-year limit forces buyers toward pricier, newer units, which can mean MORE total forex spent per car, not less, even if quality is higher. If the limit were 5 years, would you actually import instead of buying local used or new? What's the real price gap you've seen between a 3-year and 5-year version of the same model at Japanese auctions? අවුරුදු 5ක සීමාව හොඳද නරකද - ඔබේ අත්දැකීම කියන්න.