Audit initiated to probe any sugar scams after recent tax hike: Siyambalapitiya

7 November 2023 06:59 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 9 Bookmark

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By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana

COLOMBO (Daily Mirror) - An audit has been initiated by the Inland Revenue Department to find out whether the sugar importers had earned undue profits due to the increase in the Special Commodity Levy on sugar, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said today.

He told Parliament that no unusual increase in sugar imports were observed during the period when the levy was increased from 25 cents to Rs. 50 per kilo.

Reponding to a question by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa under Standing Order 27 (2), the Mìnister said according to Customs statistics, a decrease in sugar import is observed during the rest of the months when compared to the first five months of this year.

He said 546,488 tons of sugar had been imported to Sri Lanka in 2023 so far. He said the maximum retail price was imposed on a kilo of sugar to prevent any price hike of existing stocks and it was operating successfully.

The Minister said a comprehensive report will be presented to Parliament after the audit is completed.

Comments - 9

Akshol Tuesday, 07 November 2023 07:26 PM

This buggers brain needs to be probed ???????

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Sambo Tuesday, 07 November 2023 07:39 PM

You cannot get sugar for less than 300 to 325. Scam after scam. When will these end. Once these people are dead and gone.

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A patriotic citizen Tuesday, 07 November 2023 07:54 PM

To be fair sugar Importers are obliged to make a substantial profit if the sugar levy is increased or decreased in a legal way. Sugar Importer is a importer with a business to make a profit keeping in mind to be reasonable not to make the public burdened with a huge price since sugar is a very important commodity obliged to buy.

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Nimal Tuesday, 07 November 2023 08:13 PM

What are you talking. You ministers are the biggest scammers. The recent sugar scam was well planned and carried out even better.

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Buddhist Tuesday, 07 November 2023 10:53 PM

Why should the Inland Revenue Dept do this It is the duty of the Auditor General... what game is being played here?

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Citizen Simon Wednesday, 08 November 2023 12:43 AM

Corruption cannot be eliminated by the corrupt politicians.

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Sambo Wednesday, 08 November 2023 08:03 AM

Everything is a scam in this country. What a country to live in. A land corrupted like no other.

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Neil Wednesday, 08 November 2023 10:19 AM

Easy, the answer is NO. Ranil's word is final and his job is to protect Gota.

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Roshanaly Wednesday, 08 November 2023 11:27 AM

What happened to the previous scam?. Already proved and no action taken. Now, you are talking about the present.

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