Controversial issue fades:
Edna to bounce back
Shirajiv SIRIMANE
He said that the process to clear the stigma was not only a victory
for Edna but also a win for the whole country as it was the country’s
image that was at a stake. He said that due to this accusation the
company lost around Rs. 400 million per moth.
Chairman, Edna, Lal Edirisinghe (right) with General Manger, T.
Wijesinghe and Group Director, Lal Ekanayake (left) addressing
the media.
Picture by Sumanachandra Ariyawansa |
“All our products had to be pulled back and our international exports
too were affected,” he said. “However we are receiving tremendous
support from everybody and will regain our top position in short period
as this is only a temporary set back,” he said. General Manager Thusitha
Wijesinghe said that they hold over 40 per cent of the local market
share and would soon reach this figure again.
Recalling the recent incidents he said that this whole issue was a
conspiracy to tarnish their good reputation both locally and
intentionally.
“Since Sri Lanka cannot meet the milk powder demand to manufacture
chocolates they imported them from New Zealand, Australia and later
China when there was no melamine issue. When the controversy arose in
China we contacted the supplier who confirmed that their products were
not contaminated.
Later the Health Ministry, Consumer Affairs Authority and several
other institutions took samples, which were all cleared. In short there
were 46 tests conducted in Sri Lanka and India, China and Singapore and
only one report stated that there was 1.5 PPM of melamine which is not
above the 2.5 PPM danger mark” he said.
He said that since the High Court has now ruled that Edna is free of
Melamine they would once again bounce back.
He also emphasized the Ministry of Health named 60 products and
banned them due to melamine contamination and Edna was never in that
list.
The company due to controversy has decided not to import any more
milk from China.
The Edna products are exported to Canada, China and many other
countries in the region he also said. |