Sri Lanka increases taxes on imported potatoes to save the local farmer

The Sri Lankan government has decided to increase the import tax on potatoes from Rs 20 to 30, International Monetary Cooperation Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama has said.

The price of potatoes has gone down in local markets and the farmers complain that the markets are flooded with imported cheap potato bringing down the purchasing price of locally produced potato.

The government imposed a tax of Rs. 20 per kilo for imported potato in February this year.

The government has said the measure was taken to save the local potato farmer.