President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has ordered the importation of Palm Oil into Sri Lanka to be halted with immediate effect. Further, the Director-General of Customs has been advised to refrain from clearing palm oil cargos at the Department of Customs. Orders have been issued under the relevant laws enforcing the advice given by the President to ban the cultivation of oil palm completely. Over six months ago, the President instructed to gradually ban the cultivation of oil palm in Sri Lanka. When this is fully operational, the government intends to stop the cultivation of oil palm and the consumption of palm oil completely, President’s Media Division stated.

Source: The Nation April 05, 2021 12:56 UTC