Today, The Ministry of Finance announced that the Special Commodity Tax on a number of imported essential items would be reduced with effect from midnight today (8th November).

Accordingly, the tax imposed on a kilo of sprats would be reduced to Rs. 1 from Rs. 11, tax on potatoes reduced to Rs. 1 from Rs. 40 and the tax on big onions reduced to Rs. 1 from Rs. 40. Meanwhile, tax on a kilo of dhal (split) would be reduced to Rs. 3 from Rs. 15 and dhal (whole) reduced to Rs. 1 from Rs. 10.

The Commodity Tax for a kilo of dry fish would be reduced to Rs. 52 from Rs. 102.

The tax on several types of oils had also been reduced by Rs. 15 to Rs. 35.

According to the Minister of Finance and Mass Media Mr. Mangala Samaraweera this action been taken by the government to reduce the Cost of Living of the consumers. Therefore the ministry has reduced the levy on several essential food items from midnight, as stated.

Announcing this pre-budget benefit, minister told the media briefing at the ministry that majority of the consumers will benefit from this action, due to reduction of prices.

According to the announcement, the levy of following food commodities will reduce in following manner.

Item	Prevailing Duty Rate (Rs. Per kilo)	New Duty Rate (Rs. Per kilo)	Duty Reduction by (Rs. Per kilo)
Sprats	11	01	10
Potatoes	40	01	39
B’ onions	40	01	39
Lentils – whole	10	01	09
Lentils – Split	15	03	12
Dried fish	102	52	50
Palm oil/other veg. oil – crude	110	95	15
Palm olen	115	100	15
Palm stearin	110	95	15
Refine palm oil	135	110	25
Other veg. oil refine	130	105	25
Palm Kernal – crude	130	105	25
Refine	145	110	35
Coconut oil (Crude/ Refine)	130	105	25