Parliamentary Committee Addresses Illegal Beedi Leaf Smuggling

The Parliamentary Committee on Ways and Means, led by Chairman MP Wijesiri Basnayake, recently convened to address the issue of illegal beedi leaf smuggling into Sri Lanka. The committee highlighted the importance of implementing measures to prevent significant revenue losses to the government and to safeguard those employed within the legitimate beedi industry. Discussions revealed that while a tax is imposed on legally imported beedi leaves for production, substantial quantities are being brought into the country illicitly via sea routes.