July 20, Colombo: Sri Lankan government today announced that its decision to slap duty on the electrical appliances brought in by migrant workers is to prevent excessive consumption of electricity as the country is experiencing an energy crisis.

However disappointed expatriate workers point out that the country is experiencing a fuel crisis but that hasn’t stopped the government giving duty free allowances to politicians and other high ranking officials to import luxury vehicles using their hard earned money that is poured into the country’s coffers.

According to a circular issued this month, Sri Lanka Customs will not allow air conditioners, deep freezers, dishwashers, fully automatic washing machines or other large electrical appliances to be brought duty free as 'passenger baggage allowance' from August 1, 2008.

Refrigerators with two or more doors and a capacity of 500 litres, four burner cookers with ovens, televisions with a screen bigger than 29 inches (or 32 inches if it has a liquid crystal display) would also be charged levies.

"The Government is concerned about the electricity issue, that's the reason for fully automatic washing machines and other high electricity consuming electronic appliances being withdrawn from the duty concession," reports said quoting Director General of Sri Lanka Customs, S.A.C.S.W. Jayatilake.