Gazette Containing the Reduction of Prices to be Issued Today

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweeramade a public announcement and declared that the government had decided to reduce the import duty on certain food items with effect from midnight on the 8th. Accordingly, the special commercial tax imposed on a kilogram of potatoes and a kilogram of big onion were reduced by Rs. 39 and a tax on a kilo of dhal was reduced by Rs. 12.

The tax on one kilogram of sprats was reduced by Rs. 10 and a kilogram of dried fish was reduced by Rs. 50. The Finance Minister also took steps to reduce taxes on coconut oil and vegetable oil by Rs.25.

The revised price list of several essential food commodities have been presented to the Consumer Council with the reduction in import duties, said the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Chairman Hasitha Thilakarathn. He further elaborated stating that as per the Consumer Act it is mandatory to get the confirmation from Consumer Council in order to issue the gazette containing the reduction of prices. He said that the gazette notification will be issued on 14th after obtaining confirmation from the consumer council.