Govt. hikes taxes on potatoes, maize

The Government has decided to increase the import tax on one kilogram of potatoes by Rs. 30 while the import levy on one kilogram of maize has been increased by Rs. 20.

Minister of Agriculture P. Harrison said the tax increase came into effect from Friday midnight.

Accordingly, the total import levy imposed on a kilogram of potatoes is Rs. 50, while that of a kilogram of maize is Rs. 20.

The Government has said the levy on imported potatoes was increased to save the local potato farmer as potato crops from Jaffna and other districts would enter the market soon.