Tax on imported potatoes reduced

Chaminda Perera

In a bid to ensure price stability in essential commodities during the festive season, the government yesterday reduced tax on a kilo of imported potatoes by Rs. 15 after establishing the fact that the local potato production has been released to the market completely.

According to Communications Director of the Finance and Planning Ministry, M.G. Jayathissa, the government announced this tax reduction on potatoes after it had established that the produce of local potato farmers were released to the market completely.

He said that rice has been issued to the market in order to maintain the price of Nadu Kilo in the range of Rs. 48 - Rs 57 Kilo of White Raw rice Rs. 48- Rs. 60 and Samba Rs. 62 Rs. 70.

Jayathissa said that egg suppliers will provide a regular supply in order to maintain the price of an egg in the open market between Rs. 8 - Rs. 11.

He said that the wholesale supplies of chicken, red onions, big onions, dhal, and sugar are at satisfactory level and this move will help lower the prices of essential items.

The Director said that the authorities are studying to change tax on onions after the harvesting is completed. He said that the Finance and Planning Ministry will directly intervene in making the necessary changes as and when required to maintain price stability.