The price of a 50-kg bag of cement has been increased by Rs. 150 – Rs 350, cement manufacturers have said.
Accordingly, a bag of cement is priced between Rs. 2,300 – Rs. 2400, reports say.
The price increase comes after the imposition of the 18% value-added tax (VAT) on January 01.
Meanwhile, the ‘Daily Mirror’ reports citing National Construction Workers Union (NCWU) secretary Supun Abeysekara as saying that although only a 03% VAT should be imposed on cement, companies have imposed more than that.
Abeysekara has further said that prices of other construction materials will also be increased according to the VAT.