The Finance Ministry announced an increase in excise duty on cigarettes by Rs.3.80 per stick, with effect from yesterday.
Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera, issuing a Gazette Extraordinary, notified that the excise duty on cigarettes (72mm to 84mm in length), had been increased to Rs.33,550 per 1,000 cigarettes.
The excise duty on cigarettes exceeding 84mm in length had been increased to Rs.37,675 per 1,000 cigarettes. Accordingly, the prices of cigarettes in the market have increased by Rs.5.
The price of a Rs.50 cigarette would now be to Rs.55, and a Rs.55 cigarette would now be valued at Rs.60.