Impose direct duty on all luxury items

I am amused by some politicians making a big hue and cry over the duty on gold imports on jewellers or traders. As an ordinary citizen I am all for imposition of direct duty on imports of all luxury items whether consumer goods or utility items.

Any earnings for that matter, be it from professional services or employment in the government or private sector too should be subject to taxes (of course on a reasonable percentage and staggered scale) so that the Treasury can reduce the indirect taxes and duties and relieve the ordinary citizen paying for the luxuries of those who can afford luxuries.

If one looks at the gold chains, rings, bracelets, bangles and carat gold straps on wrist watches they wear, it would give a clue as to why those politicians cry out against the duty on gold imports.

I am only pointing out what is seen by the public when these politicians appear on TV. True or not, there have been instances reported where some well to do people have gold plated toilets or gold fittings on their toilets. On the other hand the ordinary housewife who has nothing to mortgage to get a quick loan when in distress would be happy to hear about the price of gold going up as she can get a bigger loan from the pawn broker with the only gold bangle or chain she has in her possession.

Let the Minister of Finance have the courage to impose duty on all luxury goods- cars, non-consumer luxury goods like fancy electrical items which are not considered essential by the ordinary voter.

The voter public would rejoice if the car permit scheme is abolished totally and a reasonable duty imposed on all vehicle imports on a staggered scale so that those wanting to import luxury vehicles can pay the duty to government rather than paying a middleman getting a permit they do not use.

Lalith Hettiarachchi Colombo 7