PARLIAMENT

The Committee on Public Finance approved to repeal the order under Section 2 of the Special Commodity Tax Act No. 48 of 2007 published under the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2340/45 on the 13th of July 2023.

The approval for the said was received when the Committee on Public Finance met recently (Oct. 03) under the Chairmanship of the Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, Member of Parliament.

Although the Committee approved to repeal the order, the Committee instructed the officials present to prepare a complete report on the maize imports and Thriposha production. The Committee also pointed out that it has observed that for many years, the production is lower than the targeted production. Furthermore, the Committee Chair stated that all the parties required to discuss and propose the necessary changes for the purpose of preparing a supply of Thriposha to meet the demand will be called before the Committee on Public Finance.

Excise Duty of Rs. 75 per Kilogram on the import of corn for Thriposha production has been reduced to Rs. 25 under the Gazette Extraordinary No. 2332/14 of 17th May 2023. This reduction was stated to be valid for a year from May 18th, 2023 and by this new Gazette Notification the said period has been canceled. Therefore, the Special Commodity Levy per kilogram on import of corn is increased to Rs. 75.

Accordingly, the Committee on Public Finance Chair Hon. (Dr.) Harsha de Silva stated that while the contents of one Gazette have been submitted for the approval of the Parliament, it is concerning to cancel the contents of the previous Gazette Notification by means of another Gazette Notification.

When inquired from the officials present, they pointed out that this is done on the basis of policy. They further pointed out that the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Finance will take initiative in this regard. Moreover, the Members of Parliament inquired about the importers who are going to import corn required for the preparation of Thriposha. Accordingly, the officials present said that the Ministry of Health is working on this issue.

State Ministers Hon. (Dr.) Suren Raghavan, Members of Parliament Hon. Patali Champika Ranawaka, Hon. Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Hon. Nimal Lanza, Hon. Harshana Rajakaruna, Hon. Isuru Dodangoda, Hon. (Prof.) Ranjith Bandara, Hon. (Dr.) Major Pradeep Undugoda, Hon. M. W. D. Sahan Pradeep Withana and Hon. Madhura Withanage, were present at this Committee meeting held.