As BYD electric vehicles face delays at Sri Lanka Customs, consumers and investors fear that the nation’s long-awaited shift to clean mobility is at risk, testing public trust in both innovation and governance.
Sri Lanka’s automotive market has entered a turbulent phase with the arrival of BYD electric vehicles, one of the world’s fastest-growing EV brands. For years, consumers had waited anxiously for the easing of car import restrictions in hopes of purchasing brand-new vehicles. But when the market finally opened, expectations shifted dramatically. Instead of traditional fuel-powered cars, buyers turned to electric vehicles. The BYD lineup, with its mix of affordability, technology, safety, comfort, and environmental friendliness, became the clear choice for thousands.
John Keells CG Auto (JKCG), the authorized importer of BYD cars, quickly captured market share and disrupted Sri Lanka’s long-dominant used vehicle sector. Consumers, many of whom placed pre-orders and made advance payments, saw in BYD not just a car but an opportunity to align with global trends in innovation and sustainability. Yet, their hopes have been frustrated.
In an unexpected twist, Sri Lanka Customs began detaining BYD cars at the port instead of clearing them under the established vehicle certification system. The justification reportedly came from data supplied by traditional vehicle manufacturers, raising concerns that vested interests may be influencing regulatory action. Customers who had pre-ordered their vehicles have been left stranded, unable to take delivery as scheduled, and the delays have shaken confidence in both the regulatory system and the country’s readiness for an EV transformation.
The impact is profound because the company behind BYD imports, John Keells Group, is one of Sri Lanka’s most trusted conglomerates. With iconic brands ranging from Keells Supermarkets to Cinnamon Hotels and Union Assurance, John Keells has long enjoyed a reputation for reliability and innovation. In line with this, JKCG moved to reassure customers by offering unprecedented concessions and alternatives—an effort widely seen as a sign of corporate commitment and resilience in the face of state-created obstacles.
At the core of this dispute is a troubling contradiction. While other vehicles continue to be released based on manufacturer certification, only BYD cars remain detained, a practice that raises questions about fairness, consistency, and the credibility of government institutions. Industry observers warn that such selective treatment risks undermining investor confidence and slowing down the very innovation the country needs.
Experts argue that Sri Lanka, still at the early stages of its EV journey, should rely on internationally recognized standards and accredited testing institutions before passing judgment on emerging technologies. Attempting to build ad hoc verification mechanisms without technical expertise risks not only delaying adoption but also alienating global investors. The longer the standoff persists, the more likely it is to discourage future investment in clean energy mobility and related infrastructure.
Public debate on the issue has grown intense. On one side, consumers argue that they have been unfairly deprived of vehicles that are already transforming transport systems in other parts of the world. On the other, skeptics question whether Sri Lanka has the institutional strength to regulate advanced technologies fairly. Both sides agree, however, that government action must not undermine national aspirations to modernize.
For Sri Lanka, the BYD controversy is about more than just cars. It represents a test of whether the country can embrace global technological trends with efficiency and integrity. In an era when climate change, fuel costs, and consumer demand all point toward electrification, delays and uncertainty risk leaving the country behind. If state institutions do not act swiftly and transparently, Sri Lanka’s EV revolution could stall before it even begins, leaving both consumers and investors questioning whether the nation is ready for the future.
