Sri Lanka, July 10 -- Sri Lanka's domestic clothing brands are calling for a drastic 300 to 400 percent increase in the Commodity Export Subsidy Scheme (CESS) levy on the imported apparel, arguing it is a critical step to ensure the survival and competitiveness of the local industry in its own market.

The proposal was put forward by former Sri Lanka Brands Association President P. Yasotharan, during a press conference held at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce in Colombo, this week.

He argued that such a measure would level the playing field against a flood of cheap, often substandard, imported garments that are stifling the local manufacturers.

Yasotharan claimed that the local apparel market is valued at a substantial Rs.700 billion, ye...