State Finance Minister Ajith Nivard Cabral has assured to commence an inquiry into attempts to promote artificial toddy to manufacture vinegar.
This was highlighted in Parliament by Opposition MP Buddhika Pathirana who said that charging an arbitrary fine will not be sufficient for the annual tax leakage of about 40 million by producing thousands of litres of artificially made toddy. The MP also charged that there are attempts to limit coconut toddy licenses.
MP Pathirana asked the State Minister to submit the report to Parliament following the inquiry.
He requested the Cabinet Minister in charge of Police, Sarath Weerasekare to give powers to police under the Excise Act by amending several sections.
“There will be adverse health issues if the coconut toddy industry is replaced by synthetic toddy industry in the process of manufacturing vinegar as artificial substances can trigger food poisoning,” the Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP highlighted.
My memory takes me back to 1979, to a moment etched in time when a strikingly tall and impeccably dressed military officer, a Master in charge of Cadeting at Prince of Wales College commanding a guard of honour presented to President J.R. Jayawardene by the cadets of 3CCC, consisted of Ananda, Nalanda and Prince of Wales Cadet platoons at the Prince of Wales College grounds.
An American national, who had been staying in Sri Lanka for nearly ten months without a valid visa while using a Sinhala name under his American passport, was arrested by the Tourist Police of the Kandy.
Former Member of Parliament J.R.P. Suriyapperuma passed away today, January 2, 2025, at the age of 96.
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