Colombo, Sept 26 (newsin.asia) – Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, on Tuesday said his government will take immediate steps to stop importing unhealthy food items as well as non-essential food items into the country.
Sirisena, quoted in a statement released by his office, said that more than 25 billion Sri Lankan rupees is spent annually to import essential food items into Sri Lanka and it was essential that Sri Lanka produces its own food required for consumption.
He pointed out that self-sufficiency in food was the identity and the culture of Sri Lanka for the past thousands of years and it should be protected.
He also said it was important that the country gives value to local products, if it is to help the agriculture economy as well as the national economy.
The statement said the government will launch the National food production program next month in order to strenghten the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka, aiming to minimize the loss incurred due to the recent drought and floods.
Under this programme, the government is expected to cultivate all the lands in the public and private sectors, and take steps to encourage those who are cultivating Legal action will also be taken again those who do not cultivate as the initiative is considered as a humanitarian operation to eliminate poverty from the country.