Indian pesticides entering Sri Lanka via sea routes

A major racket of smuggling pesticides via sea routes from India has been busted in the Kalpitiya area.

A lorry transporting the pesticides, after unloading from boats has been detected and handed over to the Police on Wednesday.

Police said that over 90,000 and 5,000 bottles of pesticides has been taken into custody.

The detection was made by a Navy unit in Ethala, Norochcholai.

Among the detected pesticides were brands such as ‘Rocket’, ‘Prison’, ‘Dhan Preet’, ‘pertto Otmos’, ‘Leokem Plus’, ‘Dhanulux’ and ‘Herbicide’.

The driver, a resident of Thalawila has been taken into custody.

OIC of the Kalpitiya police station CI  Lakshman Ranwalaarachchi said that they hope to call for a report from the Agricultural office in Puttalam and hope to file charges under the Pesticide Act.

The smuggling of pesticides from India in violation of the pesticide act has been seen as a major threat to the agricultural sector as some of them are not suitable for use and lack quality.

By Padma Kumari Kankanamge