Black list companies which imported edible oil: Rathana Thera

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

Blacklist the companies which imported edible oil with substances which increases the risk of cancer, MP Venerable Attureliye Rathana Thera told Parliament yesterday.   
Venerable Thera said such an action is needed to ensure food sovereignty in Sri Lanka.   

“It is sad that to note the Director General of Sri Lanka Standards Institute following a lenient stance on the issue,” Venerable Thera added.   

He stressed the need to construct a laboratory within the Ports to carry out instant checks on imported foodstuff.   

“It is important to carry out an investigation on the allegation made by Dr Harsha de Silva on the release of fertilizer which contains unsuitable substances despite the advice given by the Sri Lanka Standards Institute not to release the consignments to the market.   Earlier Dr. de Silva said consignments of fertilizer which contained cadmium and lead in the recently imported consignment of fertilizer.   

State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said Dr de Silva should not talk of what is circulated in social media.