Sri Lanka, Oct. 5 -- It is amazing to see many people interested in the Colombo International Book Fair despite hefty taxes imposed on books. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who declared open the book fair this year, said the Government is focusing on revising the Value-added Tax (VAT) imposed on books through the upcoming Budget, adding that the Government recognises the value of books. Even thought successive governments made this promise, they failed to do so.
Book readers argue that books sold across Indian subcontinent are sold at five times the rate than what is being sold in India. Gone are the days when people bought stacks and stacks of books written by their favorite authors. Purchasing books, even children's storybooks f...