• Prices could only be regulated by reducing taxes

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that the only answer to the problem of cost of living is to increase production and income received by the people, and the price of imported goods is determined by the world market forces.  Quoting the President, a statement from his Media Division said that prices could only be regulated by reducing taxes.  He said 17 crops that could be grown locally were identified and they had been barred from importation.   

“Now, cultivation of these crops locally has already begun. The revenue earned by this activity goes to our farmer and the village,” he said.  

The President states that following the increase in the price paid for a Kilo of paddy from Rs. 32 to Rs. 50 both the production and the revenue  the farmers earn have gone up. 

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa made these remarks during a meeting with woman representatives and activists of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna at the Presidential Secretariat on March 18. 

The President started the discussion commending SLPP Women’s organisations for their contribution in ensuring his government’s victory at the elections.  

• 17 crops that could be grown locally were identified and they had been barred from importation