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Seized turmeric piles up while local produce is market ready
The 20,000 kilos of turmeric seized at the Kalametiya Fisheries Harbour at Hungama
While the country is preparing for its turmeric harvest this month bringing an end to a yearlong shortage of the spice in households kitchens in the country, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said that it continues to receive complaints of adulterated turmeric being sold in the market.
Consumer Affairs and Information head, Asela Bandara, said that despite the CAA acting on several complaints made with raids conducted on errant traders the adulterated products continues to be elusive.
Mr. Bandara cautioned housewives to be aware when buying the product and look for its spicy smell and dark yellow colour, synonymous to the rhizome .
Meanwhile the Department of Agriculture, said the scarcity of turmeric will end this month, and that preparations are being done to harvest and dry local turmeric.
Director General Dr. A.P. Heenkanda, said growers are being trained to dry and process turmeric. Programs on drying and processing have been broadcast on state television channels and are on YouTube as well.
He said that it will be available at slightly above the Rs 750 controlled price set in April 2020.
Meanwhile thousands of kilos of smuggled turmeric seized by Sri Lanka law enforcement are lying in storage at Customs awaiting disposal.
In November and December alone, boatloads of the golden spice have been intercepted on the coast of Puttalam and surrounding areas.
Last week, December 27, the Police found 20,000 kilograms of turmeric in a fishing trawler at the Kalametiya Fisheries Harbour at Hungama. This haul was burnt by STF personnel at midnight on December 29.
Earlier the Customs had confiscated about 15,000 kilograms of the coveted rhizome from smugglers.
Superintendent N.P. P Ratnayake, said investigations have slowed down due to the coronavirus flare-up.
Turmeric smugglers have been intercepted by the Sri Lanka Navy, the coastal police, the coast guard and the STF, since the imports ban in April.
Meanwhile, 25,450 kilograms of dried turmeric worth Rs. 19 million hidden among onions in four containers from Dubai were detected at the Colombo Port, early last month.
This is in addition to the 62 container loads of turmeric containing 30 metric tons already lying in the Colombo Port.
These had been reported in shipping documents but not declared to customs, Spokesman and Director Sunil Jayaratne said.
Despite a severe shortage of turmeric, the government refuses to release the shipments in the hope of deterring importers.
The 20,000 haul of turmeric was later incinerated. Pix by Rahul Samantha
Imports were banned to encourage local cultivation and to save foreign exchange, the government had said.
Importers have been asked to return shipments.
Mr. Jayaratne, said that only a few importers have obliged, while others are unable to pay demurrage charges.
“We are awaiting an order from the government on the disposal method,’’ he said.
Customs has donated 9,950 kilograms to the Ayurvedic Department.
A ceiling set on the price of a kilogram of turmeric in April 2020 by gazette notice was revoked in September, after turmeric began selling for Rs 4,500 in the underground market.