Why Govt. not recovering Rs.16 billion lost in sugar scam

By Kelum Bandara  

United Republican Front (URF) leader Patali Champika Ranawaka asked yesterday why the Rs.16 billion undue profit earned by seven importers in the 2021 sugar tax scam is not recovered by the government despite recommendations by two parliamentary bodies to do so.  

Addressing a party event in Panadura, Mr. Ranawaka said the then government reduced the import tax on sugar from Rs. 50 to 25 cents a kilo, that resulted in a scam enabling seven importers to earn Rs. 16 billion in undue profits.  

He said both the Committee on Public Finance and the Committee on Public Accounts had recommended the government to recover the loss but no action has been taken yet.