Duties waived on more essentials

Chamikara Weerasinghe

COLOMBO: The Government has waived off import duty from dry fish, maldive fish, shrimps, red onions, chick peas, green gram, cowpea, dry chili and canned fish with immediate effect. Sources at the Finance and Planning Ministry said the Ministry will revoke the import duty on these items on the directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

"It is expected to reduce the prices of essential commodities in the market which appear to be soaring with increasing demand and the festive season," an official said.

Meanwhile, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Trade Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Sam Edirisuriya said that moves are under way by Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry with its Co-operative Wholesale Establishment to import essential commodities directly from India to control the prices.

"The items will be distributed through Lak Sathosa outlets," he said.

"Besides, The government had taken away Rs. 5 from its import duty on wheat flour from each kilo. Also, the relief introduced to encourage importing of dhal will be operative to cut down prices of essential commodities during the festive season," Edirisuriya said.

The Rs. 20 import levy on big onions and potatoes, has been removed fully for the purpose of benefitting the public, he added.