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
Heat index, is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 27 April 2025, valid for 28 April 2025
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Latest News
People have now started to think of themselves as Sri Lankans sans ethnic or religious divisions- PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that for the first time in history, mosques in Kandy had opened their doors to accommodate the needs of devotees visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and that people have now started to think of themselves as Sri Lankans beyond dividing into ethnicities and religions.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing a public gathering held in the Paragahadeniya area in Kurunegala.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated:
“This country is undergoing a transformation we expected,so accordingly, we must operate in new ways. People are beginning to feel that we must work towards a new transformation. We can see this change even within our ministries. These days, sometimes when we visit ministries even after 5 PM, and ask if it is possible to have discussions, the officials are always open. Today, public officials are willing to work late into the night, until 9 or 10 PM. Officials have now started working without fear.
Remarkably, for the first time in history, Muslim mosques in Kandy remained open throughout the night to accommodate pilgrims visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. They even provided space for devotees to rest. There were no ethnic or religious tensions. What we saw was respect for other ethnicities and religions. This is happening because there is now a sense of a government that represents all Sri Lankan people, not just Sinhalese, Muslims, or Tamils”.
The event was attended by the candidates for the local government election including the residents of the area.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) has urged the NPP government to prevent Japan’s Onomichi Dockyard Company from selling its 51% ownership stake in the Colombo Dockyard Limited (CDL) to Indian government-owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai, a leading shipbuilder.
FSP spokesman Pubudu Jayagoda told The Island yesterday (27) that the move seemed to be in line with the overall India-Sri Lanka understanding on the basis of the recently signed memorandum on defence cooperation.
Against the backdrop of deteriorating financial situation, the Japanese company has informed the board of directors of CDL of its plans to divest its 51 percent ownership stake in the international shipbuilding and repair company. The Japanese shipbuilder made the announcement in early Dec last year.
Alleging that an agreement has been reached on the sale of Onomichi’s controlling ownership stake to the Indian ship builder, Jayagoda questioned
the move as Mazagon primarily built a range of warships and attack submarines. Jayagoda pointed out that according to Mazagon’s profile, the Indian government-owned business undertaking was involved with European companies engaged in ship and submarine construction.
Addressing a Local Government election meeting at Weeraketiya, Pallekanda, in support of those contesting the May 6 election on the ticket of Jana Aragala Sandhanaya (JAS), the executive committee member of JAS Jayagoda emphasized that in terms of the agreement between Sri Lanka and Japan, Onomichi couldn’t sell its stake without the Sri Lankan government’s approval. Therefore, the NPP government should intervene to halt the Japanese-Indian move, the FSP spokesman said while urging the parliamentary opposition to publicly oppose the planned sale of the Japanese stake.
Among other stakeholders are Sri Lanka Insurance, Sri Lanka Ports Authority and EPF.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Heat index, is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts
People have now started to think of themselves as Sri Lankans sans ethnic or religious divisions- PM
Heavy showers about 100 mm are likely at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Vavuniya, Mullaittivu and Kurunegala districts.
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