The tax levied on a kilo of imported big onions will be increased by Rs 20 in a bid to support local farmers, Agriculture Minister P Harrision said.
He added that a gazette notification declaring the increase in import tax will be issued in the near future. Accordingly, the import tax which stood at Rs 20 will be increased upto Rs 40.
Previously, the tax on imported onions was imposed just prior to the harvesting season.
"Importers purchase large stocks of onions before the harvesting season as a result of this system," Minister Harrison explained. He noted that local farmers are unable to sell their produce due to the large imported stocks which are already available in the market.
Therefore, he said that the government had decided to impose the tax while the cultivating season was in progress.
Mr. Ali Sabri Rahim, a Member of Parliament (MP) for Puttalam District whom an open warrant had been issued, attended a public ceremony at Al Aksha National School in Kalpitiya today (16) as the special guest of honor.
All Ceylon Makkal Congress MP Ali Sabri Raheem had been arrested by Kalpitiya police after he surrendered to the police today morning.
Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena has been sent on compulsory leave pending disciplinary investigation over his failure to prevent the Easter Sunday bombings.
The 22nd amendment to the constitution dealing with the term of the President has been gazetted by order of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Auspicious times widely followed by candidates keeping with traditions will be taken into consideration by the Election Commission in fixing the date and time for the conduct on the Presidential polls.
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