The Hon. Mujibur Rahuman

¶ 01 Alright, Hon. Presiding Member. What is happening now? Let me remind you of this as well. Especially, you imported rice to control the main mill owners in Sri Lanka. But with the tax imposed on imports, in the end the benefit went to the mill owners. They were not controlled by this; the government could not control them. Because the government has imported rice and is selling at the price called “Dudley’s price”. If you are to import rice at “Dudley’s price”, do we need a government as we asked while in the Opposition? No. To sell at “Dudley’s price”, a government is not necessary. What is happening now? The main mill owners in Sri Lanka on one side extract money from the people; on the other side the government imports rice, charges Rs. 65 per kilo and also profits. So what is happening? Dudley profits there; you profit here. You were speaking of fairness to the people of this country. That fairness you have not achieved by importing rice. People are suffering; you accept that. Malnutrition has increased; people do not have enough to eat; incomes are insufficient. Your MPs explained all that; the President also said so. If so, what is the fairness in imposing Rs. 65 per kilo tax on rice for these suffering people? Therefore, we ask you, Hon. Minister, to reduce this tax. If you reduce the tax, you can provide relief to the people. Do not wait until the next Budget. There are reliefs you can provide now. We request you to provide those reliefs. Thank you.