Tax on wheat flour hailed

The Government’s decision to reinforce the tax on wheat flour imports was hailed by Maubima Lanka Foundation.

Chairman of the Foundation Ariyaseela Wickramanayake told the Sunday Observer that the Government’s decision is prudent as it will increase national food production.

Some sectors interpret it superficially as a wrong decision that increases the cost of living. Increase in national food production will ultimately contribute to reduce the cost-of-living, he said. With the reimposition of the tax on wheat flour increased by Rs. 10.50 per kg and price of bread by Rs. 4 per loaf.

Local rice consumption has not increased adequately to meet increased supply from the North and East and as a result paddy price has dropped sharply.

It has affected over 800,000 farmer families and has affected the national rice production plan,” Wickramanayake said. He stressed that national food security is key for sustainable cost of living reduction. We should substitute rice flour for wheat flour.

This is the time for promotion of rice flour. Rice flour can be used in the production of bread with on 50:50 basis and people should get used to consuming of food items made of rice flour, he said.