New Update on Rice, Eggs, & Pink Onion Imports

COLOMBO (News 1st): Amidst Sri Lanka's efforts to manage its domestic food supply, recent developments have seen significant shifts in import regulations and taxation policies.

In response to a surplus of eggs within the country, authorities have taken a decisive step, restricting imports from India.

This measure has been implemented due to the sufficient stock of eggs available within the country’s warehouses.

Asiri Walisundara, Chairman of the Sri Lanka State Trading Corporation, confirmed that the warehouses currently hold between 4 and 5 million eggs.

In an effort to manage the supply, 500,000 eggs will be released to Sathosa stores daily.

Notably, the price of an imported Indian egg stands at 43 rupees.

In accordance with recent developments, the import tax for pink onions has been revised downward to 10 rupees.

Ranjith Athapattu, Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security, has officially announced this tax relief.

However, it is important to note that this reduced tax rate will remain in effect only until April 30.

The Special Commodity Levy for a batch of rice imported into Sri Lanka has been extended.

Previously reduced to one rupee per kilogram from 65 rupees, this favorable tax rate will now remain in effect until April 3rd.

Importers who secured import control licenses on or before January 21, 2024, are eligible to benefit from this concession.

Specifically, this tax relief applies to rice imported from the category of 'other rice' under customs code 1006.30.29.

The primary objective of this tax concession is to address the shortage of Keeri Samba Rice within the country.