The Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe - Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development

¶ 01 Hon. Dayasiri, thank you for raising that question. Not only VAT, but we are also discussing, as a Government, certain other taxes applicable to our domestic products as you asked. We are mindful of this. Going forward, we will strengthen the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment (STC). We are already in discussions with suppliers and governments to enter into the necessary commercial agreements for continuous supply and forward procurements when required. We are in discussions with countries like India, Vietnam, and Thailand. In the future, we will certainly engage in wholesale trade and also establish a degree of oversight over wholesale markets previously controlled from Peliyagoda and Polonnaruwa, to ensure that goods are provided to the public at affordable prices.

¶ 02 In this effort, I thank my two State Ministers who support me, the Secretary to my Ministry and all officials, the chairmen, boards of directors, and staff of all institutions under my Ministry, and everyone who works with us to move forward transparently and differently from past practices. I also thank all in the Opposition who contributed to this debate. With that, I conclude my speech.