New Regulations Impact Rice, Egg, and Pink Onion Imports in Sri Lanka

In efforts to stabilize the domestic food supply, Sri Lanka has enacted new regulations and tax policies affecting imports of rice, eggs, and pink onions.With an egg surplus in the country, authorities have restricted imports from India, citing ample stocks in local warehouses.

Chairman of the Sri Lanka State Trading Corporation, Asiri Walisundara, disclosed a warehouse inventory of 4 to 5 million eggs. To manage supply, 500,000 eggs will be distributed daily to Sathosa stores, with imported Indian eggs priced at 43 rupees.In other developments, the import tax on pink onions has been reduced to 10 rupees, effective until April 30, as announced by Ranjith Athapattu, Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security.

Moreover, the Special Commodity Levy for certain rice imports has been extended until April 3, maintaining a reduced rate of one rupee per kilogram from the previous 65 rupees. Importers with licenses secured before January 21, 2024, are eligible for this concession, particularly benefiting the supply of Keeri Samba Rice in the country.