Sugar tax reduction did not benefit consumers 100% - Lasantha Alagiyawanna

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's State Minister of Consumer Protection admitted that the sugar import tax reduction did not benefit the consumers 100%.

He said if the Rs. 50 tax was not dropped to 25 cents, the prices of sugar would have increased even further, than it is today.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday (29), State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said multiple discussed took place with the sugar importers and none of them have agreed to further reduce prices.

'We are not asking them to do a social services. But they always raise the matter of the currency depreciation against the dollar,' said the State Minister.

The Consumer Affairs Authority has sealed nearly 5,400 metric tons of sugar in 03 sugar storage facilities in the in Gampaha.

"We discussed with the Attorney General the steps required to take legal action on next week against the owners of these sealed warehouses. As there are legal provisions of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act, impose a financial fine of Rs. 1,000 to Rs, 10,000 or if it’s a company impose fine of Rs, 10,000 to Rs. 100,000 or 6 months’ imprisonment. Accordingly, legal action will be taken within the next week," he said.