Minister wants ban on soya bean imports

Ishara Mudugamuwa

Agriculture Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardane requested the Treasury not to allow Thriposha manufacturing companies to import soya beans, with the objective of protecting local farmers.

Addressing the media at the Information Department yesterday, Minister Abeywardane said Sri Lanka has sufficient stocks of stock of soya bean for Thriposha production.

"Last year, the ministry provided soya bean seeds for farmers to enhance production, but the recent dry weather spell did not bring the expected yield ," the minister said.

He also said soya beans are mainly used for Triposha production and Thriposha manufacturing companies are not willing to purchase local soya beans. as farmers have requested for an increase in the farm-gate value of a kilo of soya beans from Rs.95 to Rs.110.

"Thriposha manufacturing companies seek government permission to import a kilo of soya been at Rs.130 per a kilo with taxes. This shows the desire to import everything from another country. We will not allow that to happen," he said.