Provide relief for rubber industry!
An agitation, organized by Kalutara District Small Rubber Holders Association, was held in Horana town yesterday (28th) demanding relief for rubber industry that is in peril due to the rapidly falling prices of rubber.
At present the price of a kilo of rubber has come down to Rs.200-225 and many small rubber holders have given up rubber tapping. Many factories that produce crepe rubber have been closed down.
The government levies a cess tax of Rs.15 per kilo when exporting and when compared with 2007 the export of rubber has come down by 50%. Small rubber holders say the local rubber market has broken down due to importing rubber from Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
They ask that the Rs.15 cess tax should be removed and they are given that relief and provide relief until the rubber prices get stable. The agitation was joined by the JVP Member from Kalutara District to Western PC Dr. Nalin Jayatissa and the convener of Kalutara District Small Rubber Holders Association Bandula Kandanarachchi.
