The ‘coconut crisis’ is a creation of the government
by
Though the government wants to show there is a massive coconut crisis in the country there is no such coconut crisis in the country and the proposal by the government to import coconut should be immediately withdrawn as importing coconuts is illegal and such a move would also bring various viruses and bacteria that would destroy the coconut plantations in the country says the convener of All Ceylon Farmers’ Federation Namal Karunaratna.
He pointed out that a ship of coconuts brought by Rajapaksa regime had to be dumped in the sea as bringing coconuts or any coconut kernel is illegal according to Plant Protection Act of Sri Lanka.
Mr. Karunaratna made these observations at a press conference held at Ganewatta area in Kurunegala. The press conference organized by the Coconut Planters & Industrialists Association to apprise the media regarding the downfall of the coconut industry and related issues was held at closed down factory that had produced coconut related products.
Speaking at the press conference attended by several organizations of coconut planters and coconut industrialists Mr. Karunaratna said, “ The normal annual coconut consumption in the country is about 2000 million coconuts. We export the rest of the crop. As such, it is not necessary to import coconuts.
There is no big difference in eh coconut harvest at present. What is necessary is to manage the distribution of eh coconuts that are available in the country.
However, the rulers, without doing what is necessary, are trying to destroy the whole coconut industry. The farm oil that is imported as an alternative to coconut oil has become a calamity to coconut industry. Importing farm oil is one reason for the breakdown of the coconut industry.
Importing coconuts is a disgrace to the country. The Joint Opposition has started getting a small backup due to this attempt by the government to import coconuts. However, we should remind that when Mr. Johnston Fernando was the minister of trade during Mahinda Rajapaksa regime a ship of coconut imported had to be dumped in the sea as it was not allowed in the country. It is people’s money that was dumped in the sea. During Rajapaksa regime Rs. 15150 million was wasted by importing rice.”
He pointed out that a ship of coconuts brought by Rajapaksa regime had to be dumped in the sea as bringing coconuts or any coconut kernel is illegal according to Plant Protection Act of Sri Lanka.
Mr. Karunaratna made these observations at a press conference held at Ganewatta area in Kurunegala. The press conference organized by the Coconut Planters & Industrialists Association to apprise the media regarding the downfall of the coconut industry and related issues was held at closed down factory that had produced coconut related products.
Speaking at the press conference attended by several organizations of coconut planters and coconut industrialists Mr. Karunaratna said, “ The normal annual coconut consumption in the country is about 2000 million coconuts. We export the rest of the crop. As such, it is not necessary to import coconuts.
There is no big difference in eh coconut harvest at present. What is necessary is to manage the distribution of eh coconuts that are available in the country.
However, the rulers, without doing what is necessary, are trying to destroy the whole coconut industry. The farm oil that is imported as an alternative to coconut oil has become a calamity to coconut industry. Importing farm oil is one reason for the breakdown of the coconut industry.
Importing coconuts is a disgrace to the country. The Joint Opposition has started getting a small backup due to this attempt by the government to import coconuts. However, we should remind that when Mr. Johnston Fernando was the minister of trade during Mahinda Rajapaksa regime a ship of coconut imported had to be dumped in the sea as it was not allowed in the country. It is people’s money that was dumped in the sea. During Rajapaksa regime Rs. 15150 million was wasted by importing rice.”
