Srilanka, Feb. 17 -- Sri Lanka's canned fish manufacturers are seeking the removal of the 18 percent VAT imposed on locally produced canned fish to ensure accessibility for low-income families to the cheapest source of protein in order to tackle malnutrition among lower-income households.

Local consumption of canned fish has dropped from around 300,000 tins per day two to three years ago to approximately 200,000 tins as of now.

"Canned fish is actually meant for the poorer people of Sri Lanka. It is one of the cheapest forms of protein available in this country. So, we are requesting the government to take off the VAT on canned fish since it's an essential item," said Canned Fish Manufacturing Association of Sri Lanka (CFMASL) Presiden...