(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – The import duty of 5000 rupees charged for one kilo of imported beedi leaves has been reduced to 250 rupees, says the Minister of State for Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya.
Speaking to the media in Ruwanwella area, State Minister Siyambalapitiya says that the purpose of the beedi tax amendment is to properly recover the amount of tax revenues lost to the government so far.
The Minister said the amount of tax levied on manufactured beedis has been increased to offset the loss caused by the reduction of import tax on beedi leaves. However, the price of a beedi will not increase through this measure, he added.
State Minister Siyambalapitiya also mentioned that the attention of the government has been focused on registering the people who produce beedis on a small scale, subjecting them to some regulation and providing them with some coverage.
