The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I am in Colombo. I do not know the exact schedule of harvesting. But as I know, the next harvest comes at the end of February. For a month, we need around 200,000 metric tons of rice to meet the country’s needs. Hon. Presiding Member, what is the fairness in levying Rs. 65 per kilo tax on imported rice? You levy taxes on what people eat and drink. What did you say during the Presidential Election? You said the VAT on essential commodities would be removed within 24 hours. The President who said so has now come and presented concessions from March and April. There is no need to wait that long. If you want to change it, Parliament has the power. We say levying Rs. 65 per kilo is unfair. People cannot buy rice even at Rs. 220.

¶ 02 Hon. Minister, let me remind you one point. You said the STC and Sathosa have called tenders. From whom has Sathosa called tenders? Sathosa has called open tenders, anyone can apply. I say there is no need for Sathosa to call tenders. Since you have set a controlled price, if you reduce the tax and allow the private sector to import, then there is no need for Sathosa tenders. The job can be done at once. Why call tenders again through Sathosa? Even Sathosa’s tenders are from private importers. If called directly, that is it. Why call through Sathosa? That only causes further delay. Because of this delay in bringing rice, there will be a shortage in the market. Then some will benefit further. What you are doing is making Dudley richer.