Finance Ministry to look into attempts to promote artificial toddy

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.