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.
The death toll in the Ella bus accident has increased to 15 with 16 others injured.
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is due to vacate his official residence at Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo this morning, a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) source said.
Sri Lanka’s largest renewable energy project, the ‘Rvidanavi’ Solar Power Park project was launched in Siyambalanduwa today by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill was passed by a majority of 150 in parliament today. However the opposition MP’s were absent during the voting.
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