1.33 Mn tonnes of milk powder imported past 18 years

It was revealed in parliament today that 1.33 million tonnes of milk powder worth US$ 3.9 million had been imported to Sri Lanka for the last 18 years.

Agricultural and Livestock Minister P. Harrison revealed this when responding to a question raised by Joint Opposition MP Bandula Gunawardane. He said the government had earned an income of Rs. 123,800 million by way of taxes levied on the import of 1.33 million tonnes of milk powder between 2000 and 2018. 

Responding to a question regarding the harmful substances in imported milk powder, the Minister said samples of imported milk powder had been sent for testing by the local and international institutions. 

He said that the report will be submitted in parliament upon receipt of them. Mr. Harrison, who responded to a question raised by UPFA MP Vasudewa Nanayakkara whether the local dairy industry had collapsed due to the milk powder issue, said there was no such collapse in the local dairy industry. "Only a few companies were engaged in the dairy industry. No collapse in the local dairy industry. People are resorting to local dairy products due to issues in the imported milk powder," he said. (Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)