Reduced Beer price increased on President’s order

President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake to reintroduce  the reduced tax on beer with less than 5% alcohol content.

The tax on low alcohol beer was reduced in the budget 2016 recently to avoid discrepancy of tax in the importation of beers.

The tax on imported beer was reduced to Rs 160 per litre  from Rs 190 in the Budget 2016. However,  with the intention of discouraging  drinking of beer, the President has ordered that it’s earlier price of  Rs 190 per litre be restored.

The President has given this instruction, paying attention on a possible increase in the consumption of low alcohol beer.