He further expressed that CEAT Kelani International Tyres (Pvt) Ltd which has gained foothold of almost 65% of the tyre market in Sri Lanka has already started to provide the benefits of Tax deductions to its customers. They believe that sharing the benefits of tax concessions totally with the public would pave way for the convenience of transportation and logistics sector. The state minister added by quoting a statement issued by Mr. Ravi Dadlani, the Managing Director / CEO of CEAT Kelani International Tyres (Pvt) Ltd.

Having said that the price hike of vegetables is beyond the government’s control owing to the harsh weather condition, the state minister assured that by April, the prices would be reduced. Moreover, the distribution of a relief package inclusive of 10 essential items to low income earners and Samurdhi beneficiaries, as promised by the election manifesto of His Excellency the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa would be implemented.

The state minister explained that 350,000kg expired rice from the Sathosa Storage facility in Hingurakgoda is a result of the import of rice in 2017. Therefore the harvest from our paddy fields has been kept in storage for years without distributing them to the market and now the current government is left with the only solution of selling them as animal fodder. Furthermore, the current government has also taken progressive measures at the moment to uplift the export agricultural crops too.

Hon. A. D. Susil Premajayantha, the State Minister of International Co-operation had also been summoned to the media briefing. He said that a committee has been appointed by the President to study MCC agreement and no comment can be made on that until they issue a report on that. Commenting on the president’s focus on gathering personal information under one data center he added that new laws will be introduced and the existing laws will be amended prior to implementing to ensure the privacy of the people.