The Government will continue the ban on importing turmeric for two years, Plantation Minister Ramesh Pathirana stated.
He said farmers currently have the capacity to grow more than half the amount of turmeric currently needed for local consumption. He said they are confident about 4000 metric tonnes of turmeric can be produced locally this year.
While there might still be a shortage of turmeric on the market, the minister said the Government could not afford to lift the import ban immediately as if it did so, it will hit local farmers and production will again drop drastically.
First Bishop of the Batticaloa Diocese, Retired Bishop Joseph Ponnaiya, passed away today at the age of 74, following a brief illness.
The NPP government has been at the wheel for almost 6 months now. The time to keep looking at the rear view mirror and living in the past is about over.
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