The Samagi Jana Balawegaya has questioned the role of the Consumer Affairs Authority, when businessmen who monopolised the sugar industry are increasing prices of the commodity in large margins.
Speaking to media , Parliamentarian Rohini Kavirathna questioned how sugar prices in the country skyrocketed during the past few months, as sugar imports were halted.
MP Rohini Kavirathna said the current stocks were taxed at Rs.0.25 per kilo, adding the market price jumped from Rs.65 to Rs.220 within three months.
She questioned the government if the tax concessions granted to importers were passed on to the public.
MP Rohini Kavirathna claimed political beneficiaries and friends of the government were the only beneficiaries of the concessions.
She questioned if the Consumer Affairs Authority that functions on public funds was necessary for a country with no market regulations on essentials.
The Parliamentarian stressed the government has become a charity that only serves friends of the party, via large tax cuts.
She predicted that people will have to face a food crisis, on top of the coronavirus pandemic if the government’s financial mismanagement continues.
MP Rohini Kavirathna said people were burdened by the rise in cost of food items, as the government has failed to take care of its people.
She said the system has changed in a way that wealth is distributed from the poor to the rich.
