News

Sagala should be questioned about bribing wheat flour companies: Anura

Published

2 years ago

July 20, 2023

editor

Prima Ceylon (Private) Limited and Serendib Flour Mills (Pvt) Ltd, which funds the election campaign of some political parties, have set up a wheat flour monopoly in Sri Lanka and the people have to buy flour at steep prices so the companies can raise money for election campaigns, National People’s Power (NPP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said in Parliament yesterday (19).

He said the President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake is the mediator of this process and that he should be questioned in this regard.

The MP said this while posing questions to the government under Standing Order 27/2 about the problematic situation faced by the bakery industry and the consumers due to the move to allow two companies to create a wheat flour monopoly.

“Today, about 6,000 bakeries operate all over the country providing a livelihood to about 500,000 people. Apart from rice, which is the main staple, wheat flour is the main ingredient of many types of food consumed by most of the people,”

“In spite of this situation, the government has banned the import of wheat flour without import licenses by the extraordinary gazette issued on 14.06.2023 and by the letter of 2023.06.16 of the Import Controller. So far no such licenses have been issued. Accordingly, two multinational companies–Prima and Serendib–have monopolized the industry.”

“However, comparing the price of wheat flour in the world market, it is revealed that these companies are making high profits in the sale of flour during the government’s wheat flour import ban. For example, when importing wheat flour from Türkiye to Sri Lanka, the price of one kilogram of flour at the port is only Rs.110 but these companies have decided the price at Rs.210.”

“The price of flour is decreasing rapidly in the world market and the value of the US dollar has depreciated from 362 to 301. What should happen now? This advantage should be given to the consumers but what did the government do? What the government did was to issue a gazette notice on June 14 and stop issuing wheat flour import licenses. Then Serendib and Prima will have a monopoly. It is well known that these companies fund election activities of political movements. When the price of flour in the world market is decreasing and the value of the dollar is also depreciating, who gave this bribe to Prima and Serendib? Sagala Ratnayaka should be questioned. This is what they did. How did he get the power of the Ministry of Finance to decide on taxes? How can he make decisions? How can he make an influence?”

“When the price of flour is decreasing in the world market, and the value of the dollar is depreciating, the benefit has not been given to the consumers. Instead, the companies raise funds for election campaigns and activities of various political movements. These are the people who pumped money in every presidential election. Everyone knows what they are trying to do. Wheat flour is being given to consumers at a high price so the companies can raise the funds for the upcoming presidential election,” he said.

News

Ceylon Chamber seeks approval to import 200M coconuts

Published

3 minutes ago

January 22, 2025

editor

The Ceylon Chamber of Coconut Industries has urged the government for permission to import 200 million coconuts with the next few months.

President of the Ceylon Chamber of Coconut Industries Jayantha Samarakoon said that the major reason for the current coconut shortage is the spike in fertilizer prices.

Speaking at a media briefing held at the National Chamber of Commerce Auditorium yesterday (21), he mentioned that the coconut imports are essential at this time to counter a severe shortage that threatens both domestic supply and export revenue.

Samarakoon attributed the coconut shortfall to skyrocketing fertilizer prices, which have discouraged growers from adequately nourishing coconut crops. He warned that if coconut stocks needed for the coconut-based export industry are not imported immediately, Sri Lanka could lose approximately USD 1 billion in revenue.

He further highlighted that the country’s monthly coconut demand stands at 250 million nuts, of which 150 million are consumed domestically while 100 million are utilized by the industrial sector. However, production has failed to keep pace.

Sri Lanka’s annual coconut yield, which previously averaged 3 billion nuts, dropped to 2.68 billion nuts last year. The Coconut Research Institute has forecast a further decline this year, with production estimated to fall to between 2.4 and 2.6 billion nuts. The institute also predicts a shortfall of 200 million coconuts between January and April 2025, exacerbating the crisis.

In response, the Chamber has proposed importing alternative coconut products such as coconut milk, coconut kernel, dried coconut kernel, or peeled coconuts to bridge the deficit.

Additionally, Samarakoon noted that a steep increase in fertilizer costs—from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 12,000 per 50 kg bag—has resulted in reducing the growers using fertilizer to less than 10%, further worsening the production slump.

The Chamber has requested that the government provide fertilizer at a subsidized price of Rs. 4,000 per bag and expressed optimism that the upcoming budget will address this issue.

The Chamber also urged the government to introduce subsidies for water supply and soil conservation, which are critical to sustaining coconut cultivation.

(Adaderana)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by adaderanahas not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Committee appointed to revise certified rice prices

Published

12 minutes ago

January 22, 2025

editor

The Paddy Marketing Board says that a committee has been appointed for the amendment of the certified price of rice.

Its chairman, Manjula Pinnalanda says that the committee comprises representatives from several institutions, including the
Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute and the Institute of Post Harvest Technology.

This committee is set to conduct a review of the application prices used for paddy cultivation.

The Paddy Marketing Board says that subsequently, the certified price of rice at which stocks will be purchased this season will be decided through this committee.

During the previous Yala season, the certified price for Nadu rice was Rs. 105 per kilogram, Samba rice was Rs. 115 per kilogram, and Keeri Samba rice was Rs. 130 per kilogram.

Meanwhile, the Paddy Marketing Board also says that storage facilities for the Maha season’s harvest, have already been prepared.

It was also announced that the purchase of stocks of harvest for the Maha season is scheduled to commence next month.

(News1st)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

“Better if MR vacates residence on his own accord”

Published

12 hours ago

January 21, 2025

editor

It is better for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to leave his residence before he is asked to do so, Cabinet spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said today (Jan. 21).

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet briefing, Dr. Jayatissa stated that the people have given a mandate to the government to abolish privileges of politicians and ease the politicians’ burden on the people.

He explained that according to the provisions of the Presidents’ Entitlements Act, former Presidents or their widows are entitled to one-third of their salary.

“Although Mr. Rajapaksa was not in the Parliament that passed this Act, he had been in several governments and therefore, should understand its provisions… If he understands this, it is better for him to leave on his own accord without waiting until he is told to vacate the residence,” he said.