Aug 25, Colombo: Sri Lanka Ministry of Finance today announced that the special commodity levy on imported big onions and potatoes had been increased with effect from August 23.

This is the second time the import levies for the two commodities were increased within a month.

Accordingly, the import tax for potato will be increased to Rs. 25 per kilo from Rs. 15 while the import tax for big onion will be increased to Rs. 35 from Rs. 25 per kilo.

The Ministry said the import levy was increased to safeguard the local farmers. The tax increase is expected to control imports and increase the prices of local produce which is being harvested.

The tax for potatoes increased to Rs. 15 per kilo from Rs. 5 effective from August 12 and the tax for big onion increased to Rs. 25 from Rs.10 per kilo effective from August 15.

However, the potato farmers have complained that the prices for potato in the market are low and they have not gained any profits from their crops.