Move to allow import of selected spices rescinded

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who also holds the Finance portfolio, has rescinded a decision to allow the import of selected spices for re-export.

Government sources said that this was done following a request made by Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera at the Cabinet meeting convened on Monday (March 11).

On Sunday, the Finance Ministry announced that the import of selected spices, including pepper, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, turmeric and cumin, for re-exportation purposes, would be permitted again.

The import of these spices was thus conditionally allowed, subject to the approval of the Controller General of Import and Export and a local value addition of 35%.

Sources said that this announcement was made after the Cabinet approved the proposal.

On January 01, 2023, the government banned importing spices to Sri Lanka. However, as per a memorandum presented by the Investment Promotion Minister, Dilum Amunugama, on December 06, 2023, the Finance Ministry permitted the import of selected spices for re-export purposes.

However, Minister Amaraweera raised objections against the decision at Monday’s Cabinet pointing out that the move would discourage the local farmers and as a result could undermine local spice production.