Govt. loses millions in revenue; 10 million mobile phones smuggled

Only one million cellular mobile phones were legally imported into Sri Lanka and the balance ten million mobile phones were smuggled into the country depriving millions of rupees as revenue to the government, Nokia's National Sales Manager- Emerging Asia, Rajesh Sokhal said at a dealer promotion held in Colombo recently.

He said customers should refrain from buying illegal Nokia mobile phones as they were not genuine phones. Genuine Nokia phones are manufactured to suit customer preferences.

Sri Lanka was an important market for Nokia Cellular phones due to network expansion facilities. Mobile penetration in Sri Lanka was 22 percent. Meanwhile, Nokia plans to engage dealers, distributors and consumers in awareness programs. Sri Lanka has a market potential in the emerging Asia market comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan and the Maldives.

Several dealers and customers from the Western and Sabaragamuwa areas who won raffle tickets were awarded return tickets to Bangkok.

Softlogic's Director Communication Ms. Samathi Weeratunge also spoke.

JJ