Vehicle import surcharge controversy grows as Mujibur Rahuman alleges 1,782 LCs were opened before the 50% tax hike.
Vehicle import surcharge allegations have sparked fresh controversy after SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman claimed 1,782 vehicle LCs were opened just before the tax hike.
Samagi Jana Balawegaya Member of Parliament Mujibur Rahuman alleged that although the government decided to impose a 50% surcharge on vehicle imports from May 16, Letters of Credit for 1,782 vehicles were suddenly issued on the previous day, May 15.
Rahuman claimed these LCs had been issued to companies owned by Krishan Balendra, who is linked to the President’s “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme, along with Dhammika Perera and Ishara Nanayakkara, whom he described as close associates of the President.
He further alleged that LCs for 4,000 vehicles had been issued in the same manner during the week before the tax was imposed.
The MP described the matter as an organized crime and called for the relevant list to be released.
Rahuman said Anura Kumara Dissanayake had strongly criticized the crony economy throughout his time as an MP, but after coming to power, the same system appeared to be continuing.
He also questioned promises made by National People’s Power leaders during the election campaign.
Referring to Tilvin Silva, Rahuman said the NPP had claimed that if a dollar crisis emerged, party members across the world would send dollars through the party mechanism.
He also recalled the alleged one-million-dollar phone call received by Sunil Handunnetti and asked where those dollars were now.
Rahuman said the value of the dollar is rising minute by minute like a three-wheeler taxi meter.
He claimed the dollar had increased by about Rs. 120 in one week.
According to him, the dollar, which was at Rs. 355, is now at risk of rising to Rs. 385, while the Central Bank is not releasing dollars due to conditions agreed with the International Monetary Fund.
The MP warned that the economy is gradually deteriorating, causing essential goods, including rice, to rise uncontrollably.
He said both former rulers and current rulers are destroying the country’s economy through lies, and warned that the entire nation will have to face the dangerous consequences in the future.
