Today, The Ministry of Finance announced that the Special Commodity Tax on a number of imported essential items would be reduced with effect from midnight today (8th November).
Accordingly, the tax imposed on a kilo of sprats would be reduced to Rs. 1 from Rs. 11, tax on potatoes reduced to Rs. 1 from Rs. 40 and the tax on big onions reduced to Rs. 1 from Rs. 40. Meanwhile, tax on a kilo of dhal (split) would be reduced to Rs. 3 from Rs. 15 and dhal (whole) reduced to Rs. 1 from Rs. 10.
The Commodity Tax for a kilo of dry fish would be reduced to Rs. 52 from Rs. 102.
The tax on several types of oils had also been reduced by Rs. 15 to Rs. 35.
According to the Minister of Finance and Mass Media Mr. Mangala Samaraweera this action been taken by the government to reduce the Cost of Living of the consumers. Therefore the ministry has reduced the levy on several essential food items from midnight, as stated.
Announcing this pre-budget benefit, minister told the media briefing at the ministry that majority of the consumers will benefit from this action, due to reduction of prices.
According to the announcement, the levy of following food commodities will reduce in following manner.
| Item | Prevailing Duty Rate
(Rs. Per kilo) |
New Duty Rate (Rs. Per kilo) |
Duty Reduction
by (Rs. Per kilo) |
| Sprats | 11 | 01 | 10 |
| Potatoes | 40 | 01 | 39 |
| B’ onions | 40 | 01 | 39 |
| Lentils – whole | 10 | 01 | 09 |
| Lentils – Split | 15 | 03 | 12 |
| Dried fish | 102 | 52 | 50 |
| Palm oil/other veg. oil – crude | 110 | 95 | 15 |
| Palm olen | 115 | 100 | 15 |
| Palm stearin | 110 | 95 | 15 |
| Refine palm oil | 135 | 110 | 25 |
| Other veg. oil refine | 130 | 105 | 25 |
| Palm Kernal – crude | 130 | 105 | 25 |
| Refine | 145 | 110 | 35 |
| Coconut oil
(Crude/ Refine) |
130 | 105 | 25 |