The Cabinet Sub-Committee on Cost of Living (CSCL) in accordance with the president’s instructions has made a decision to provide drought affected people a ‘relief pack’ with essential items worth Rs. 5,000 per month, for the next two months, Minister of Finance and Mass Media Mangala Samaraweera said.
According to the minister, CSCL had also made a decision to decrease the Special Commodity Levy (SCL) on the import of rice from Rs. 5 per kilo to Rs. 25 cents per kilo. This will be in force until 31st December, 2017.
In addition, the Special Commodity Levy on wet fish has also been decreased by Rs. 50. Accordingly the levy on imported Thalapath and Koppara has been reduced from Rs. 75 to Rs. 25. This is in force for the next three months.
Cabinet Sub-Committee has also opened up imports for wheat flour and wheat grain. The Cess tax on wheat flour has been reduced from Rs. 25 to Rs. 15 and that of wheat grain has been reduced from Rs. 9 to Rs. 6.
