NFF calls for Cess on wheat flour imports

Disna MUDALIGE

A Cess should be imposed on wheat flour to protect the local paddy farmers, said National Freedom Front (NFF) Political Bureau Member Piyasiri Wijenaike at a media conference held at the NFF head office yesterday.

"About one million MT of wheat flour is imported to the country annually. No tax is imposed on it up to now. The country's paddy production has increased, and it has become self-sufficient in rice.

A surplus has emerged due to uncontrolled wheat flour importation. In the path to make this country Asia's miracle, food security should be ensured," he said.

He also noted that the opposition is making contradictory statements saying that the government does not purchase paddy while opposing the levying of taxes on wheat flour.

"When an environment is created to move the country forward by accelerating local production we should all support this endeavour. Therefore we have to start the battle against wheat flour mafia in the country.

Wheat flour price should be increased, so that the people will start consuming rice and rice related products" he said. He pointed out that the health of the nation suffers as a result of uncontrolled wheat related products and bread consumption.

"We request the Government to halt providing bread to the patients in Government hospitals, jailers in prisons and soldiers in the Army.

The first step to defeat the wheat flour mafia should be initiated in this manner" he noted.

He suggested that a mechanism to store paddy in the homes of farmers should be initiated to solve the paddy storage problem.

NFF Political Bureau Member Padma Udaya Shantha also participated in the media conference.