Ranjith Vithanage, Chairman of the National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection, reports a sharp decline in bakery sales due to new ingredient taxes.
Taxes on imported wheat flour, eggs, and margarine have driven up costs, leading to a 40% decrease in bread sales and a 25% drop in other bakery products.
Despite a 21.9% reduction in electricity charges, bakery owners have not lowered prices, resulting in the closure of 10% of bakeries.