Sri Lanka Halts Canned Fish Imports to Boost Domestic Industry

COLOMBO (News 1st); In a move aimed at bolstering the domestic canned fish industry, Minister Douglas Devananda has directed a temporary halt on imports of canned fish from abroad, effective immediately. 

The announcement came after a discussion held today between the Minister and representatives of the Canned Fish Producers Association.

Minister Devananda emphasized the need to support local businesses and create a favorable environment for their growth. 

He instructed the Director General of the Fisheries Department, Susantha Kahawatta, to implement the import suspension effectively. 

The Canned Fish Producers Association welcomed the decision, highlighting the challenges faced by local businesses due to foreign competition. 

They pointed out that imports of approximately 8,000 tons of canned fish in recent months had significantly impacted domestic sales.

Additionally, the Association expressed concerns about the decreasing prices of imported canned fish compared to local products.

Furthermore, the Association emphasized the impact of government-imposed taxes such as VAT and CESS, which they claim put further strain on their operations and threaten factory closures.

Minister Devananda also instructed the Secretary of the Ministry to investigate the feasibility of imposing an additional levy on imported canned fish.