Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera today said fees to obtain passports increased from the 1st of July.

"One day service charge has been increased from Rs. 10,000 to Rs.15,000 and the normal service charge will also be increased to Rs.3,500," Samaraweera said delivering his budget speech, this afternoon. 

He also added that Tax on 750ml bottle of hard liquor will be increased by Rs. 63 and the price of 330 ml beer can by Rs. 9.

According to the budget proposals, tax on Petrol vehicles (less than 800cc) will be increased by Rs. 150000. The tax on petrol vehicles (less than 1000cc) has been increased by Rs. 175,000 while the tax on vehicles less than 1300 cc has been increased by Rs 500000.

Meanwhile, the tax on three Wheelers (200cc) has also been increased by Rs. 60000 while the tax on electric vehicles (less than 70 Kilowatt) will be reduced by Rs. 175,000

Samaraweera also added that personalized vehicle number plates can be obtained for Rs 1 million from today