The company has sharply increased prices to Rs495 per 227 g (salted; unsalted is Rs520) - from Rs350 previously.

 Meanwhile, locally manufactured Highland butter is still sold at same prices - Rs250 per 200g.

 When contacted by ‘Asian Mirror’, sources close to the company said the price was increased as a result of revised taxes on imported food items that came under budget proposals last year.

 However, other important butter products in the market have still not seen a drastic increase in prices.

 Fonterra Brands Lanka controls a significant share of the dairy products market in Sri Lanka.