Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday questioned whether a potential fraud is unfolding over the big onion tax—similar to the sugar tax scandal—noting that despite the tax being introduced to protect local farmers, large quantities of imported big onions have already entered and been stockpiled in the country.
Speaking at a community outreach event in Elahera’s Yaya 26 division on Monday, Premadasa inquired whether the recently imposed tax on big onion imports introduced to protect local farmers was being undermined by backdoor deals and poor implementation.
“Despite the tax, large volumes of imported big onions have already entered the country and are in storage. Our farmers are not reaping any benefit from the levy,” Premadasa said, noting that local growers have now been left unable to sell their harvest.
According to the Opposition Leader, cultivating one acre of big onions costs farmers between Rs. 500,000 and Rs. 600,000.
While a fair market price would be around Rs. 200 per kilogram, farmers are now forced to sell at just Rs. 110 to Rs. 120, plunging them into economic distress.
“This government doesn’t understand the heartbeat of our farmers,” Premadasa said, accusing authorities of failing to implement the tax on time and leaving producers exposed to cheap imports.
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