Opposition blames govt. over import restrictions

COLOMBO (News1st): The opposition, on Thursday, accused the government of imposing import restrictions to indirectly favour its allies. Mujibur Rahman, an opposition lawmaker, pointed out that the gazette issued by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa allowing tiles and ceramic imports was not implemented. "...within two hours the controller general of imports and exports notified banks not to implement it," the Samagi Jana Balawegaya parliamentarian noted. But Shehan Semasinghe, a state finance minister, insisted that the import restrictions have been imposed for the benefit of local manufacturers. "...if the supply cannot meet the demand we will allow for the difference to be imported," Semasinghe said.