The Special Commodity Levy on imported sugar has been increased to Rs. 23 per kg from the present levy of Rs. 13 per kg.
Though this levy has been increased from Tuesday, there is no impact on the selling price of sugar in the market as the world market price on sugar is continuously declining.
The FOB price of a kilogram of a sugar which was Rs. 89 in October last year has now come down to Rs. 69 per kg.
The Government hopes to pass the benefit of this increased levy to the farmers engaged in sugarcane cultivation. The Government has also reduced the Special Commodity Levy on imported wet fish by Rs. 25 per kilo effective from Wednesday.
Due to inclement weather, that prevailed in the recent past, the fish production has been affected in the country and the government as a concession to consumers has reduced this levy from Rs. 75 to Rs. 50 per kilogram of imported wet fish.
Sri Lanka imports around 2,000 mt of fish per month for local consumption.