President orders tax increase on low alcohol beer
November 25, 2015 07:19 pm
President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake to increase the tax imposed on beer with less than 5% alcohol content, which was reduced in the budget proposal.
The tax on imported beer (less than 5% alcohol) was reduced to Rs 160 per litre, however the President has ordered that it be increased back to Rs 190 per litre.
The tax on low alcohol beer was reduced in the budget 2016 recently to avoid discrepancy of tax in the importation of beers.
The President has given this instruction, paying attention on the possibility to increase the consumption of low alcohol beer.