Govt. slaps MRP for sugar

The Government yesterday via an Extraordinary Gazette set a maximum retail price (MRP) for a kilogram of sugar.

Accordingly, packaged white sugar MRP is Rs. 295 per kilo and unpackaged MRP is Rs. 275 per kilo. Brown sugar packaged is Rs. 350 per kilo and unpackaged is Rs. 330 per kilo.

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said the newly stipulated prices are effective immediately.

On Thursday, the Government increased the Special Commodity Levy imposed on imported sugar from 25 cents to Rs. 50 per kilo. The Extraordinary Gazette by the Finance Ministry noted that the revised levy will come into effect from yesterday and will be valid for one year till 2 November 2024.

State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said the MRP set will prevent traders from taking excessive profits from the existing stocks. 

He also pointed out that the CAA has powers vested to enforce the law against traders selling goods more than the stipulated MRP.