A food commodities tax removed ahead of the April new year and Parliamentary elections has been reimposed from this week, pushing up prices of sprats, dhal, onions, salmon, potatoes and other items.
The taxes have been imposed through a Gazette notification issued by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as Finance Minister.
Accordingly, the tax on a kilogram of sprats will be Rs. 30, on a kilo of salmon and preserved fish Rs. 85, on chillies between Rs. 20 and 25, on Red and B’ Onions Rs. 10, on potatoes Rs. 10, on Masoor dhal Rs. 1 to 2, on garlic Rs. 30 and on peas, chickpeas and green peas Rs. 15.
Deputy Internal Trade Minister Neomal Perera said the government was compelled to reimpose the taxes because of international market prices. Traders Association President K.P. Sundaram said the new taxes would be effective for the stocks they import in the coming weeks.
These taxes come a week after the price of flour was increased by Rs. 3 a kilo. Gas prices also were increased a week ago, while talks are underway for an increase in prices of milk food. |
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