Jun 20, Colombo: Sri Lanka government announced today that the import taxes on a number of food items have been increased with effect from June 21.

Accordingly, the importation tax on sugar has been increased by Rs. 10 per kilo gram to control and stabilize the price of sugar in the market, the Ministry of Finance has said.

Among other items with increased taxes imposed are, Rs. 30 per kilo increase in duty for imported potato, Rs. 40 per kilo on garlic, Rs. 25 per kilo on onion, Rs. 35 per kilo on big onion, Rs. 85 per kilo of canned fish, Rs. 30 per kilo for sprat, Rs. 250 per kilo Maldive fish and Rs. 100 per kilo for Dried fish.

The government says the taxes have been increased to protect the local producer of these items and promote the products in the local market.