Sri Lanka passport holders returning from abroad and resident diplomats will be allowed to buy up to 5000 US dollars worth of goods at a duty-free mall in the Colombo Port City.
As per the new rules introduced by the Colombo Port City Commission, the permitted passport holders would be allowed to buy one laptop, a tablet, a desktop and two cameras a year.
The permitted passport holders will also be allowed to purchase 36 pieces of apparel, 10 kilograms of confectionery, two bottles of perfume and 5 units of make-up products.
Tourists will not have a value limit but will be imposed a volume limit per visit, and will also be allowed to purchase more to be picked up at the airport.
According to the Colombo Port City Commission, the allowance would be independent of any other allowance at airports and the goods purchased cannot be resold or exchanged in Sri Lanka, while it is purely for self-consumption.
The new rules allow Sri Lankans travelling abroad to buy goods outside of the limit to be picked up at the airport, while the duty-free outlets are also permitted to sell online unlimited quantities to overseas customers.
The Colombo Port City Commission also expects to dollarize (multiple currencies) the special economic zone at the Colombo Port City.