In a significant move aimed at streamlining trade processes, the government has eliminated the permit requirement for the import of wheat flour, as announced by State Minister of Finance, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, today (August 30). The decision, already published in a Gazette Extraordinary, officially took effect from midnight on Tuesday, August 29.
As part of this policy change, Siyambalapitiya further elaborated that the import tax on wheat flour has been revised, increasing it from Rs. 16 to Rs. 27 per kilogram.
This decision follows a prior development in June, where wheat flour was categorized as a ‘specified good’ in accordance with the provisions outlined in the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Act. The recent changes are indicative of the government’s commitment to adapting regulations to facilitate smoother trade practices while simultaneously ensuring financial considerations are balanced.