Traders Call for Reduction in Rice Import Tax

Consumer organizations have also supported this proposal, stating that reducing the import tax could stabilize rice prices and make it more affordable for the public.

The government has taken several steps in recent months to manage the rice crisis, which has persisted for over two months. These include setting maximum wholesale and retail price limits, conducting inspections of rice mills through the Consumer Affairs Authority, and importing rice from abroad trough the private sector.

Sri Lanka Customs reports that since import permissions were granted, 67,000 metric tons of rice have been imported. This includes 38,500 metric tons of Nadu rice and 28,500 metric tons of raw rice.

The government has collected Rs. 4.3 billion in import duties from these stocks at the current tax rate of Rs. 65 per kilogram.

While the increased supply of imported rice has eased shortages in some areas, traders in certain regions report that they still lack access to imported stocks, despite the availability of local rice.