Rs. 16 bn sugar duty scam: Recovery of losses further delayed

MP says ex-Prez should be questioned over Minister’s disclosure

By Shamindra Ferdinando

State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya yesterday (02) said that the recovery of at least part of revenue losses caused by the alleged sugar tax scam, (2020), couldn’t be done in a hurry.

Siyambalapitiya said so when The Island asked the State Minister how soon the government could recover 30 percent of Rs 16 bn loss in revenue in terms of an assurance he gave Parliament less than a week before the presentation of Budget 2023.

State Minister Siyambalapitiya said the recovery process could take over a year, depending on accounting years of the relevant sugar importers. On Nov. 09, he told Parliament the Treasury had suffered losses amounting to Rs 16 bn due to the unprecedented reduction of duty on a kilo of white sugar, from Rs 50 to 25 cents, from 13 Oct., 2020. He is on record as having said that the Treasury could recover only 30 percent of Rs 16 bn estimated loss.

Siyambalapitiya assured Parliament that the government would ensure such unilateral decisions couldn’t be taken in the future.

The then Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa served as the Finance Minister whereas Ajith Nivard Cabraal held the State Finance portfolio. S. R. Attygalle served as the Secretary to the Treasury.

The SLPP government increased the duty on a kilo of white sugar to Rs 50 in May 2020, a couple of months before the general election, and it was brought down to 25 cents, a few weeks after the last general election.

Media and Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardena’s Office told The Island that the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) was yet to record a statement from the Minister as regards disclosure he made in Parliament on the sugar duty scam. Sources close to Bandula Gunawardena said that the former Trade Minister wanted to set the record straight. “The Minister couldn’t furnish a statement on Dec. 19, as sought by the CIABOC. However, CIABOC was told subsequently to record his statement,” sources said.

Addressing the Parliament, on Dec. 09, Minister Gunawardena said that in spite of him being the Trade Minister, he was not consulted at all and his strong opposition disregarded by President Rajapaksa when the Finance Ministry drastically reduced duty on imported sugar, without the benefit being passed onto the consumer.

Lawmaker Gunawardena claimed that inimical decisions were taken by ‘advisors’ at the expense of ministers who lacked authority.

CIABOC has so far recorded statements from over 30 persons in respect of the high profile investigation launched following complaints received from Samagi Jana Balavegaya MPs, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka and Mayantha Dissanayake and public interest litigation Attorney-at-Law Nagananda Kodituwakku. Those questioned included former Presidential Secretary Dr. P.B, Jayasundera.

The Island

learns that the CIABOC contemplated seeking a statement from former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in this regard.

Sources said that a clarification was required as some of those who had been questioned over the issuance of the relevant gazette by the Finance Ministry claimed they received instructions from the President.

Former Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, is on record as having said that the reduction of duty on sugar didn’t benefit the consumers at all. Incumbent Cabinet ministers Vidura Wickremanayake and Nalin Fernando, before they received ministerial portfolios this year in their capacity as members of the Public Finance Committee, have criticized the sugar tax scam.

MP Mayantha Dissanayake told The Island that Minister Gunawardena has pointed the finger at former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Declaring that the CIABOC couldn’t under any circumstances leave the ex-President out of the investigation, MP Dissanayake emphasized that Bandula Gunawardena, too, should be held accountable for loss in revenue. How the then Trade Minister could distance himself from the sugar scam by blaming it on the President and those near and dear to that President, MP Dissanayake asked.

Since Minister Gunawardena’s revelation, the former President has left the country.

Responding to another query, MP Dissanayake said that the CIABOC, too, owed the public an explanation regarding, what he called, the inordinate delay in probing this case. “On behalf of the SJB youth movement, I lodged a complaint on Feb 01, 2021, and subsequently made inquiries regarding the investigation. Minister Gunawardena’s disclosure has revealed the culprits,” MP Dissanayake said.