Ruwanpura: RDA pushes ahead without EIA report

 Sep 17, 2017

Re-exporters of areca-nut are in difficulties due to a baseless order by the Sri Lanka Customs, reports say. A considerable, additional foreign exchange was earned through this business for the past few years.

Last year, the ministerial committee on economic management took certain decisions due to a possibility of this business falling into the hands of racketeers and after identifying the barriers. The cabinet has approved the banning of illegal importation of areca-nut, imposing a fine and the forefeiture of such stocks and permitted only the value-added exportation.

However, the Customs has not allowed the importations as per this approval. When asked about it, it says the ban continues on an order from the top, and refuses to identify from whom the order came. Due to the cabinet approval, businessmen have by now opened letters of credit for around Rs. 750 million to 800 million.

Attempts to reach the Customs failed.

In 2015, areca-nut worth around Rs. 1,000 m was re-exported. In 2016, it declined to half that amount, and this year, not re-exportation at all has taken place.

Kashyapa Kotelawala