New SLS Rule on Imported Tyres From 2027 — Safety Win or Protecting Local Makers?

Sri Lanka's Cabinet approved regulations, gazetted on 1 October, making Sri Lanka Standards (SLS) testing compulsory for imported passenger car tyres (SLS 1212) and three-wheeler tyres (SLS 1347) from 1 January 2027. The Ministry frames it as consumer safety and a "fair playing field" against local tyre manufacturers. Supporters say this is overdue — a lot of cheap, uncertified imported rubber ends up on tuks and budget cars, and worn treads nobody checks are genuinely dangerous on wet roads. Critics call it protectionism wearing a safety jacket: SLS testing adds cost and paperwork, smaller importers may just stop bringing certain brands in, and whoever's left standing can raise prices with less competition to keep them honest. If you run a garage, import tyres, or just replace a set every couple of years — does this actually get bad tyres off the road, or does it mean you pay more for the same rubber with an extra stamp on it? What are you currently paying for a decent 165/80 R13 or a three-wheeler tyre, and do you buy the "protecting local manufacturers" reasoning? රබර් ආනයනයට අලුත් නීති - මේක ආරක්ෂාවටද, නැත්නම් ව්‍යාපාරිකයින්ට වාසියක්ද?