Govt. slashes Special Commodity Levy on imported eggs

• A shipment of 2 m eggs from India is scheduled to arrive this weekend

Ahead of the two million eggs cargo from India this weekend, the Government has slashed the Special Commodity Levy on imported eggs.

The Finance Ministry said the Special Commodity Levy has been reduced from Rs. 50 to Rs. 1. The levy has been reduced for a period of three months from 21 February.

A shipment of two million eggs procured by the Sri Lanka State Trading Corporation (STC) from India is scheduled to arrive this weekend.

Considering the increase in prices and the shortage of eggs in the market, the Cabinet of Ministers on 2 January granted approval to a proposal submitted by the Minister of Trade to import eggs.

A total of 20 bids were submitted to import eggs after tenders were called from importers.

The Department of Animal Production and Health however refused to grant permission to import eggs from India citing concerns over prevalent Avian influenza or bird flu cases.

Department of Animal Production Health Director-General Dr. Hemali Kothalawala said that based on the evidence they have received, they cannot grant permission to import eggs from India.