Accordingly, the current Special Commodity Levy on big onion has been increased to Rs.40 from Rs.25. The revised Special Commodity Levy on big onion will be effective from August 19th, 2016.

 Sri Lanka imports 12,000 metric tons of big onion monthly. The government expects that local farmers will supply about 50,000 metric tons of big onion produce to the market in the forthcoming Yala season. The Special Commodity Levy has been increased as a remedial measure to protect the local big onion farmers.

According to the government’s special gazette notification issued on 14th July of 2016, a kilogram of big onion should be sold at a maximum price of Rs.78.