JVP accuses customs of levying low tax on oil consignment

COLOMBO (News1st): The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has accused the customs department of levying a low tax on a 7000 metric tonne oil consignment imported by a company named Wilmar last month. JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake pointed out that the stocks had reached the country on November 14 when the government had issued a gazette fixing the special commodity levy on the product at Rs 125 a kilo. "...the customs had only charged a Rs 100 tax for every kilo of coconut oil that was imported. The tax charged is Rs 25 less the value indicated in the gazette," Dissanayake claimed at a media briefing. He said that Wilmar Pvt. Ltd. - the importer - is engaged in a joint venture with India's Adani Group that is preparing for a stake in managing the Colombo Port's East Container Terminal. The JVP leader insisted that Wilmar Pvt. Ltd. has imported 100,000 metric tonnes of sugar since October 13 at a massive concessionary tax rate offered by the government. "The government has allowed a group of businessmen to earn profits in an unethical manner," he noted adding that such moves have deprived the country of revenue.