COLOMBO, Feb. 28, 2025 Imported vehicles from Japan are unloaded from a ship at Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka, Feb. 27, 2025. The first batch of vehicles imported for private use arrived at Colombo Port on Tuesday, following the government's decision to end a five-year suspension on vehicle imports due to foreign reserve shortages.. Speaking to the press in Colombo on Wednesday, Vehicle Importers' Association of Sri Lanka President Prasad Manage said the first shipment has arrived from Thailand, and another shipment from Japan was scheduled to arrive at Hambantota International Port on Thursday.. The Sri Lankan government officially lifted the temporary ban on vehicle imports, which had been in place since early 2020, on Jan. 31, 2025. (Credit Image: å© Ajith Perera/Xinhua via ZUMA Press)