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| Sunday, 14 November 2004 |
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An apple a day makes the budget a prey Light Refractions by Lucien Rajakarunanayake Many voices were keen to be heard at the animated discussion at my regular watering hole. They were all chipping in with views about the government's decision to raise duties on a range of luxury goods. "I think the Finance Minister has cooked the goose for the government by this. If he should recall that one of the major reasons behind the green elephant landslide in 1977 was their promise to allow the free import of apples, grapes and cheese. The rise in price of imported apples is the last straw on the camel's back. The people will bear the heavy cost of living but not with a hike in the price of imported apples," said Fruitsy Applecart, ordering his brand of single malt scotch and imported apple cider for his female guests. "The campaigners against this unjust hike of duties on so-called imported luxuries have a good theme song. They will all be singing "Apple Malak Vaagey" as they hold musical shows to protest the new burdens heaped on those who enjoy imported goods," said Midirasa Grapeshot, who was very angry about the new cost of imported grapes. "Dr. Amunugama will soon learn the real meaning of the grapes of wrath, when people demand imported grapes at affordable prices". "Haven't these policy makers ever heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away? Surely this will affect the health of the people too," said Nutty Cadbury, who was more concerned about the sales of imported chocolates. "Don't say that. There are enough western doctors and Ayurvedic physicians too who say that a mango a day can keep the doctor away too. So why not reduce on the consumption of imported apples and encourage our people to enjoy more of the locally grown mangoes and other fruits" asked Dampara Ambarasage. "Once the people understand that, it will not be a case of the grapes of wrath, but being amba yahaluvo or "mango friends" of the minister," he added. Loriyel Kosmatikka was angered by the hike on duty of imported cosmetics. "The Finance Minister has forgotten how Stanley de Zoysa, Finance Minister of the first Bandaranaike government in 1956, reduced the import duty on nail polish and lipstick. He said it was meant to give the village women too a chance to use imported cosmetics. Very soon there will be a women's revolt against this move that deprives our women factory workers, lower middle class and rural women the benefits of imported cosmetics." Viskam Vilasitha responded that the only women to be seriously affected are those who have regular facelifts, and apply several layers of foundation on their face to imagine themselves as presentable. "There are enough local cosmetic products, some made on foreign franchise and even exported. The use of traditional Ayurvedic products in cosmetics has increased. So, why should the average woman be affected by this increase in duty on imported cosmetics?" he queried. "But what about the impact on employment?" countered Loriyel Kosmatikka. "Look at the number of beauty parlours that will have to lay off their staff. Women who trust imported cosmetics cannot have their facelifts and other cosmetic help to help them look attractive?" "I'm sure those who are used to regular facials will be able to afford the imported cosmetics they have always been used to. Anyone who finds it too dear will have to switch to local cosmetic products. Why don't you think of the increased employment opportunities among local cosmetics producers and marketers as a result?" asked Viskam Vilasitha in response. Fruitsy Applecart also had a comment about employment. "Just think of all those youth who sell imported apples, grapes, pomegranates and other fruits who will find themselves on the streets without employment, when the prices of these fruits go up beyond the purse of the average wage earner," he said. He was ably supported by Midirasa Grapeshot, who was also shedding tears for the loss of employment among these roadside sellers of imported fruit. "I tell you this will lead to the creation of an army of disgruntled youth," he said. Dampara Ambarasage, taking a sip of his regular local coconut spirits, asked why there should be so much concern about unemployment, when those who could afford imported fruit would continue to buy them. As for any shortfall they can jolly well take to selling local mangoes, ambarella, pomegranates, and so many other fruits. Why don't you think of the encouragement this will give to growers of local fruits?" he asked. The next question was by Guchchi Hansapattu who was enjoying his imported wine all the while. "But what about good shoes?" he asked. "What are the young executives to wear if they don't have good imported shoes, how are they to impress their clients without being well shod. Also, with all these ministers travelling abroad so often, don't they understand the need for good imported luggage? How can one depend on local luggage for travel abroad or even for a good fashionable holiday here?" Sakman Aviddapaya asked him whether young executives don't use their brains to impress and convince clients. "It must be a strange client who signs a contract because the salesman wears imported shoes" he said. "There are millions who manage quite well with local shoes and luggage. Don't you realise what a fillip this will give to the local shoe and luggage industries?" he asked. Stafford Pingankatta was worried about the difficulty of importing good bone china ware and other imported ceramics. "After all how can a rich man give a good dinner served on local China? One must always think of class in entertainment," he said. "That is the problem with all of you. It's all a matter of class, and the top class only. There are classes below that to be catered to. These are changes that should have been brought decades ago. None of you who oppose the high cost of luxury imports have so far said one word about the national budget. Surely an imported apple a day will not help reduce the budget deficit," said Janahitha Mulgedera, a senior member who had been silent all the while. As I left I heard someone whistling the melody of "Apple Malak Vaagey". |
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