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Last Updated : 2024-04-24 06:20:00
26 August 2022 08:49 pm - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The government's recent decision taken to ban the importation of 300 HS product codes of the consumer items should have to be taken after discussions with the Sri Lanka United National Businesses Alliance (SLUNBA), SLUNBA Chairperson Tanya Abesundara said.
Addressing the media she said the decision was taken without considering the sub contents listed under the HS product codes.
After issuing the gazette, the small and medium enterprises (SME) such as construction, agri-business sector and industrial activities received the main threat.
SMEs make up a large part of Sri Lanka's economy, accounting for 80% of all businesses.
These are found in all sectors of the economy, primary, secondary and tertiary and provide employment for persons of different skills, skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled.
SMEs are an essential source of employment opportunities and are estimated to contribute about 35% of employment. The SMEs play an important role in promoting inclusive growth.
"We have come to a situation of unable to continue with our activities. The people who took the decision to ban the importation of 300 consumer items do not realise the local production of the country," she said.
Raw materials need to run all the small and medium enterprises and no local manufacturing of raw materials in the country, she said.
Therefore, the government should revoke the gazette and re-impose the import limitations after discussions, the Chairperson said. "Nearly 4.5 million workers belong to 4,500 SMEs will fall on to the streets for not being able to pay their workers' wages.
The government is contemplating to print one trillion rupees to pay the salaries of the government sector and for the maintenance of the Parliamentarians, but did not take any measures to protect the SME, which serves as the backbone of the country," she said.
With the ban on raw materials, most of the companies and industries are facing the threat to close down the business and the above number of employees will have to suffer, the Chairman added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)
Justice Friday, 26 August 2022 10:05 PM
Here we go! The right hand does not know what the left hand is doing and falls into a pit. This is Sri Lanka. No communication among the people involved. Someone who was politically appointed has taken the decision to show his colours. Wither SL.
Colin Friday, 26 August 2022 10:06 PM
She is absolutely correct. This is similar to banning chemical fertliser with a view of promoting organic and the ripples are now being felt. Millions are going to be unemployed and this will be the death blow for the families who are already reeling with the staggering cost of living. The Governor of the Central Bank may have promoted the ban to boost his image but the Finance Ministry should have assessed the repercussion before implementing the decision. Lets hope the Finance Ministry will review the decision
Adam Speak Friday, 26 August 2022 10:25 PM
Your points and arguments are valid and reasonable. Already even essential Electronics, Electrical items have skyrocketed many folds. Good for big time Importers, Distributors and Stock-holders. By all these innocent poor customers pay the heavy price. In my opinion Mobile Phone are no more luxury today. Those who cannot afford Laptops can use the Mobile Phones from everyday general Apps. to Studies. Forget about Perfumes and Cosmetics. Why don't you bring Raw Materials Duty Free and Manufacture products and consumables enough for our 22 Millions. It seem this Govt. have gone nuts. Is there anybody out there who can save our Motherland from total Catastrophe.
Mahila Saturday, 27 August 2022 04:47 AM
Well, this is not the 1st time we have restricted imports since Independence 70 years ago. If you spill the beans and the market knows impending ban, the traders would mass import, stockpile and lead to "Black Market", which is undesirable to consumers??!! The SME's have to make special applications, laying out the reason for exemption to the Controller of Imports and exports, to obtain special approval to import their requirement of Raw materials for their manufacturing process??!! This happened in 1950's, 1965, 1970 and without any iota of information even leaking of such bans and controls??!! So, Why now??
Ram Saturday, 27 August 2022 04:53 AM
Don't expect to ask anyone or a body/group/union before decisions are made. RW does what he thinks is best. See the appointment of Akila Viraj as Security advisor
Sri Lanka Association of Professional Engineers Saturday, 27 August 2022 05:09 AM
Many non BOI export companies have to stop production due to this absurd decision of short thinking officials
Sambo Saturday, 27 August 2022 06:45 AM
Ban everything and then call this a tourist destination. What knowledge do they have. If you have a meal in a 5 star hotel at least 50% of the ingredients are imported.
Chris Saturday, 27 August 2022 06:59 AM
If a government has to discuss everything with every Tom Dick and Harry nothing will ever happen. For manufacturers and construction government has given leeway to import under approval for direct manufacturing or construction. These uneducated ones are just braying as they do not even know how to read a gazette properly. Ever heard of greater good?
Another association wants government concessions Saturday, 27 August 2022 07:54 AM
Every business association, from confectionery, to poultry, rooftop solar and now these are continuously complaining about disruption or business losses to happen. Every country which has previously gone to IMF has suffered greatly with having to keep to IMF rules. These associations have to start going on protests on the streets , because the businesses don't matter to IMF, which wants us to strangle the government expenditure and thoroughly restrict dollar outflows.
maha Saturday, 27 August 2022 07:59 AM
This is too very similar to Fertilizer ban decision. When the authority realizes gravity of the mistake, the economy world irrecoverable state. Govt should give a printing machine to the private sector too, to pay their employees’ wages.
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