Special Commodity Levy revised on essential food imports from November 13

Daily Mirror reports that the Government’s 2027 Budget proposes cutting existing CESS rates by 25% for 800 selected Harmonized System code lines, as part of a phased effort to lower import tariffs. EconomyNext reports the proposal and estimates it will reduce annual state revenue by Rs. 10 billion.

EconomyNext reports that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament on Thursday that tax reductions for three essential foods would start on November 13. Daily Mirror and Lanka Business Online report that the Special Commodity Levy on imported sprats and Maldive fish will be set at Rs. 10 per kilogram from that date.

Lanka Business Online reports that the levy on dried chillies, whether powdered or not, will be cut by Rs. 50 per kilogram. Daily Mirror reports that the charge on imported sugar will rise by Rs. 10 per kilogram. Lanka Business Online also reports that increase and says it is intended to support domestic sugar producers; Daily Mirror reports the stated aims are protecting the local sugar industry and narrowing the tax gap between local and imported sugar.

Daily Mirror reports that the Ports and Airports Development Levy on imported newsprint and batteries for solar-energy storage will be removed from January 1, 2027. EconomyNext estimates the PAL changes will cost the state Rs. 350 million. Lanka Business Online reports that importers and wholesale traders will apply the new food-levy rates from November 13 and anticipates retail price changes in the days afterward.