News
SJB alleges maize tax fraud, claims SLPP, SLFP benefited from sugar scam
By Shamindra Ferdinando
SJB MP Rohini Kaviratne has alleged that a key figure in the Agriculture Ministry and about ten businessmen have benefited from the lowering of import duty on maize. The Matale District MP said so in Parliament on Wednesday (23) responding to State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya’s recent announcement that import duty on a kilo of maize had been reduced from Rs. 75 to Rs. 25 to bring down the cost of animal feed. Despite an initial decision to reduce the duty on maize to Rs 50 a kilo, it had been reduced to Rs 25, she said, claiming that the revenue losses could be Rs. 5 bn.
Referring to the sugar tax scam carried out by a couple of weeks after the SLPP’s victory at the last general election conducted in August 2020, MP Kaviratne said the powers that be working hand in glove with major importers had manipulated import duties on food imports.
The Finance Ministry issued a special gazette notification on Oct 13, 2020 to bring down Rs 50 tax on a kilo of imported white sugar to 25 cents. A special examination carried out by National Audit Office (NAO) revealed that the Treasury was deprived of Rs 16 bn within four months (Oct 14, 2020 to Feb. 08, 2021).
Comparing the sugar tax scam with the recent cut in maize tax, MP Kaviratne alleged that massive profits accrued through the 2020 rip-off was used to pay for SLPP election campaigns. The MP was referring to last presidential and parliamentary polls in Nov 2019 and Aug 2020, respectively.
The NAO has declared that Pyramid Wilmar (Pvt) Ltd–the private company accused of profiteering from the sugar tax cut imported 1,222 percent more sugar than usual between October 2020 and February 2021, but did not pass the advantage to consumers. This is 45 percent of the total quantity imported by all importers (which was 277,713MT).
MP Kaviratne said that the coconut oil scam too had deprived the Treasury of as much as Rs 3 bn.
Commenting further on the reductn of import duty on maize, Kaviratne said maize cultivators in Moneragala, Hambantota, Matale, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Mahiyanganaya and Girandurukotte areas would suffer due to the government decision. According to her, those responsible for the maize tax scam were planning to reduce the tax on the import of green gram and orid.
Kaviratne claimed that funds had also been utilised for the SLFP convention at a Colombo venue though the original plan was to have it in party General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera’s electorate in the Kurunegala District.
MP Kaviratne also alleged that an organized project was underway targeting maize cultivators. The MP claimed forms requesting government assistance had been distributed by interested parties, including some SLPP MPs representing the SLFP though the relevant government agencies weren’t aware. The MP alleged that MP Duminda Dissanayake and MP Mahinda Amaraweera were responsible for the ‘operations’ in Anuradhapura and Hambantota, respectively.
The SJB spokesperson alleged that the SLFP, the major beneficiary of the maize tax scam, had launched a propaganda campaign eyeing future elections while the farmer community was plunged into crisis.
Latest News
Level III landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
The landslide early warning center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has extended the Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale until 1600hrs on 11th December 2025.
Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide warnings issued to the the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Medadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Pathadumbara, Doluwa, Panvila, Gangawata Korale, Ududumbara, Akurana, Yatinuwara, Harispattuwa, Deltota, Thumpane, Poojapitiya, Udapalatha, Udunuwara, Minipe and Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district, Aranayaka, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Bulathkohupitiya and Mawanella in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Mawathagama and Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, and Rattota, Laggala Pallegama, Ukuwela, Matale, Wilgamuwa, Pallepola, Naula, Yatawatta and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Dehiowita, Ruwanwella and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Polgahawela and Alawwa in the Kurunegala district, Kothmale East, Walapane, Thalawakele, Nuwara Eliya, Kothmale West, Nildandahinna, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district. and Kolonna, Godakawela and Kahawaththa in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Divulapitiya, Attanagalla and Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Eheliyagoda, Balangoda, Kaltota, Openayake, Nivithigala, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Elapatha, Pelmadulla and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.
News
“We cannot allow flooding to become a part of the daily lives of the people in the Colombo District” – PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that unauthorized constructions within the Colombo District, nor any form of residential developments that endanger the public carried out under the guise of development agenda will not be allowed.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the media at the conclusion of the Colombo District Disaster Management Committee meeting held on Tuesday [December 09] at the Colombo District Secretariat.
Addressing further, the Prime Minister stated:
“The Colombo District has become vulnerable to this extent due to the constructions carried out without any proper planning or understanding of regulations, along with personal and politically motivated decisions that have placed both the district and its people at risk.
Compared to the districts that suffered severe loss of life and property due to the recent cyclone, the damage to the Colombo District has been relatively lower. However, special intervention is being carried out together with the relevant institutions to manage the potential future flood risks in the district.
This matter was also given special attention during today’s District Disaster Management Committee meeting. We cannot allow the flooding to become a regular part of the lives of the people in Colombo. All relevant institutions will come together to put forward a common plan for flood control in the district.”
The Prime Minister further stated that discussions are already underway to provide sustainable solutions for the people living in high-risk areas within the Colombo District.
The discussion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, Deputy Minister of Mass Media Kaushalya Ariyaratne, and Colombo District Members of Parliament Aruna Panagoda and Chandana Suriyarachchi.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The handover of 35 tonnes of Russian Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka, recently affected by the cyclone «Ditwah», took place at Katunayake today (10th December)
The shipment was welcomed at the Katunayake airport by Ambassador of Russia Levan Dzhagaryan, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka and Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).
Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan: said “This delivery is a reflection of long-term friendly relations between Russia and Sri Lanka and reaffirms Moscow’s commitment to support countries in a difficult humanitarian situation.”
The supplies brought by the EMERCOM (Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations) aircraft comprised a movable 60 kW electric power station, Pumping equipment for water drainage, Summer tents (10-person capacity) and Food supplies (sugar, vegetable oil, rice)
The total cargo weight is 35 metric tonnes. The aid will be distributed among the most affected regions.
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