Imports of five food crops suspended due to self-sufficiency

The Sri Lankan Government has decided to suspend import of five types of grains and pulses with immediate effect.

Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said imports of ragi, maize, phaseolus max, sesame and peanuts have been suspended as the country is producing these crops in sufficient quantities.

Abeywardena said the measure was taken to save the foreign exchange and also to encourage local farmers. The Minister also pointed out that there was great progress in the maize cultivation of the country.

Sri Lanka last year imposed heavy import taxes on these grains. A 90% tax was imposed on imports of phaseolus max or undu, 76% on cowpea, and 30% on ragi (millet). (Lanka page)