Special tax on imported dresses from April
The Government will impose a special tax on imported readymade dresses from April, Batik, Handloom and Local Apparel Products State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said.
He told the Daily News yesterday in Kurunegala this tax will help to protect and encourage local textile manufacturers. He said the Government will discontinue importing low- quality garments from abroad as Sri Lankan textile manufacturers can produce high- quality readymade dresses.
He said around Rs. 23 billion is spent annually on importing dresses and readymade garments to Sri Lanka.
An official circular has been sent to all Ministries and Departments urging all state employees to wear a locally-manufactured batik dress when they report for work on January 1 to encourage local textile manufacturers.
(Source: Daily News – By S.M.Wijayaratne)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka President appoints Deshabandu Tennakoon as acting IGP November 29, 2023
- Creditor nations likely to agree on Sri Lanka debt restructuring – report November 29, 2023
- Netherlands returns six looted colonial-era artefacts to Sri Lanka November 29, 2023
- Sri Lanka needs $100 billion to become net zero emitter by 2040, president says November 29, 2023
- 40 Government hospitals in Sri Lanka closed and another 100 about to close November 28, 2023
Will imported underwear (panties and bras) be taxed as well?
Can understand your concern, dear Roxie,
Bathik underwear is rough and is unkind to private parts.
The residual paint scraps creep into crevices.
Hope the Minister understands.
Compelling / enforceing state sector employees to wear locally- manufactured batik dress for work through govt circulars means the marketing department of the batik ministry is in-efficient? All similar SOEs ( like PMB, Palmyrah Board,etc,etc) could follow suit for their products too the same marketing straregy !