Sri Lanka, June 24 -- Economic Development Deputy Minister Nishantha Jayaweera told Parliament yesterday the import of air conditioners and refrigerators that operate exclusively on HCFC (Hydrochlorofluorocarbon) refrigerants into Sri Lanka will be officially banned.

The MP said this while addressing the debate on the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill (Second Reading), two orders under the Special Commodity Levy Act, and the regulations under the Imports and Exports (Control) Act.

These import prohibitions were put in place by the Sri Lankan Government as part of the country's commitment to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

Effective June 6, 2026, the import of appliances like air-conditioners, refrigerat...