By Dilrukshi Grero 

Pepper importation has directly contributed to the fall in local pepper prices, former Auditor General (AG) H.M. Gamini Wijesinghe told an audit report released on April 22. 

The special report on pepper production and market condition evaluation said the government’s failure to take apt measures based on policies had also resulted in lower prices of local pepper. 

“The Export Control Department has failed to act in a proper manner when importing and exporting pepper,” he said.