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Sri Lanka has reportedly lowered tariffs on feminine hygiene products in an effort to assist women who are unable to purchase the hygiene item in the midst of the ongoing economic crisis in the nation.
According to the presidential media division, which was cited by local media outlet News First, “the government has taken procedures to waive taxes imposed on five imported raw materials for locally produced sanitary napkins.”
Additionally, the government has agreed to offer tax breaks for imported finished sanitary napkins, according to News First.
The maximum retail price for a pack will be between Rs. 260 and Rs. 270, according to the reports, and the price of a pack of 10 locally produced sanitary napkins will be cut by 50 to 60 with these tax concessions.
Consumer retail prices for finished goods imported from other countries will be cut by 18 or 19%.
A terrible economic crisis is still gripping Sri Lanka. Earlier, Sri Lankan demonstrators had broken into and set fire to then-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s private home in protest of the appalling conditions. The unexpected economic situation had them indignant.
During those protests, the security forces also attacked a number of journalists, which prompted more demonstrators to congregate nearby.
Notably, this is the nation’s largest economic crisis since it attained independence in 1948, and it follows on the heels of repeated COVID-19 waves, endangering years of development gains and seriously compromising the nation’s capacity to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The protests followed an escalation in tensions caused by the country’s deteriorating economic situation, as well as reports of several clashes between civilians, police, and military personnel at fuel stations where thousands of anxious people lined up for hours or even days due to the fuel shortage.
Due to a lack of diesel, Sri Lanka has had regular power outages for several hours since February. The severe food and electricity shortages Sri Lanka is currently experiencing have compelled the nation to ask its neighbours for assistance.
Additionally, the island nation is struggling with a foreign exchange deficit, which has hampered its ability to purchase food and fuel and resulted in power outages throughout the nation. Sri Lanka had to ask for help from friendly nations due to a shortage of necessities.
