Sri Lanka has lowered its Special Commodity Levy on imported Maldivian smoked tuna from 302 Rupees to 10 Rupees (46 laari), per kilogram under its 2027 national budget, offering major tariff relief for Maldivian fish processors and exporters.
The 96.7 per cent tariff cut took effect on Friday, November 13, following an official gazette notification issued after Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake presented the 2027 budget proposals to Parliament on Thursday.
Under Sri Lanka’s Special Commodity Levy Act, the revised Rupees 10 per kilogram rate will remain in place through December 31, 2027, providing island-based producers and exporters with over a year of low-duty access to their primary regional market.
Alongside the reduction on smoked tuna, Sri Lanka’s new budget slashed the import levy on dried sprats from 100 Rupees down to 10 Rupees per kilogram and reduced the tax on dried chillies by 50 Rupees per kilogram.
Despite the tax reductions, wholesale traders and importers in Colombo’s Pettah market cautioned that it will take several weeks before consumers feel the impact of lower prices. Importers noted that ongoing unrest in Iran has disrupted dried fish shipments from the country, meaning it will take roughly a week to bring in fresh stock from the Maldives.
