Over 500 kilos of bananas wasted daily at Thambuttegama Economic Centre

24 July 2025 02:39 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 14 Bookmark

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By Dayaratne Embogama

Colombo, July 24 (Daily Mirror) - More than 500 kilos of bananas are wasted every day at the Thambuttegama Economic Centre, Chairman Sunil Seneviratne said.

He said banana farmers from areas such as the Mahaweli 'H' Zone, Rajangana, Eppawala, Katiyawa and Nochchiyagama are worried about the huge waste of their harvest due to lack of market demand.

Farmers said large amounts of bananas brought to the Economic Centre often go unsold and are thrown away, causing heavy losses.

The Centre receives around 40,000 kilos of bananas daily, Seneviratne added.

Farmers said that the price of bananas has dropped to Rs. 30-35 per kilo for all varieties because of low demand. Due to this, many have no choice but to destroy their crops in the fields.

Meanwhile, consumers complained that bananas are still sold at high prices in shops, sometimes at more than Rs. 150 per kilo.

Comments - 14

Banana Man Thursday, 24 July 2025 03:09 PM

This should happen because greedy sellers selling locally produced banana at exorbitant price, reason for the high price they said it was raining or very hot no rain. Business should be fair otherwise curse will fall on them.

0 5

Russel Harmmer Thursday, 24 July 2025 07:26 PM

In Colombo the prices of all the varity of Banana's are very high. Like Dudley is playing the Rice Mafia, some SLPP Politician is playing the Banana Mafia. This is the fact.

0 4

Umar Perera Thursday, 24 July 2025 03:27 PM

Give it to the elephants. The Air Force can drop off in the middle of a reserve so that the animals don't have to risk death by getting closer to cruel humans.

2 14

Dr Tissa Fernando Thursday, 24 July 2025 03:36 PM

Clearly , it is the middle man who takes 400% profit on the bananas. Both the farmers and consumers are the loosers. But the pacha government came into power promising to remove these exorbitant profit takers. Instead, the print tskers as well as criminals have multiplied.

5 4

Realistica Adams Thursday, 24 July 2025 06:34 PM

Pacha Dr. If you are so keen, have you spoken to the concerned minister about it? or just whinging?

3 5

Karunathilake Thursday, 24 July 2025 03:40 PM

I have stopped buying bananas from the market because they are covered in chemicals to increase the shelf life. They are not naturally ripened fruits. They make your throat irritate and finally you'll become a patient with a severe liver and kidney disease.

0 6

Anthony Thursday, 24 July 2025 03:50 PM

Its better you producers without selling it so cheap, to go by yourself paying for transport and sell a kilo at 100 yet you will gain and will not have thrown the Bananas.

0 3

Dr. Kankanamge Thursday, 24 July 2025 04:21 PM

Because the monkeys have come to Colombo.

3 2

EXCESS SHOULD BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE POOR AROUND THE COUNTRY AND THE PRODUCES WILL TRULY BE BLESSED. Thursday, 24 July 2025 04:35 PM

WHY DOES OVER 500 KGS OF BANANAS GO TO WATE, WHEN THERE ARE MILLIONS WHO SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY THE FRUIT AND CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT BANANAS HAVE NUTRITION, WHY ISN'T THE EXCESS OR UNSOLD FRUIT DISTRIBUTED TO THE POOR IN AND AROUND THE PRODUCES/FARMERS WHICH CAN BE EASILY WORKED OUT. WHY NOT BRING DOWN THE PRICES FURTHER TO AVOID THE 500 KGS OF WASTAGE, IF IT CANNOT BE DISTRIBUTED FREE IN POOR AREAS AROUND THE COUNTRY?.

1 4

Dr Tissa Fernando Thursday, 24 July 2025 05:34 PM

Why is this happening despite a man from Thambuttegama is holding the top position in the country?

7 5

D.K. Siriwardene - Economist Thursday, 24 July 2025 07:29 PM

Namal Rajapakshe is behind the scene. Wait and see the truth will come out soon. Now Namal is dancing too much.

0 1

Lalla Thursday, 24 July 2025 11:50 PM

Not only Thambuthtegama and banana. All types of fruits facing this issue all over the country. There are many reasons. Major problem for banana avocado papaya is that application of chemicals to ripe raw fruits. Result is tasteless fruits and consumers not willing to buy fruits anymore. Other disaster is poor income of majority of middle class work force. They are the majority of consumers who used to buy certain amount of fruits daily basis but now not in a position to spare money for fruits.

0 0

Das Friday, 25 July 2025 08:22 AM

Demand for Banana’s getting declined as majority of wholesalers use chemicals to make quick money . Finally farmers get affected.

0 0

S. Sirisena - Farmer Friday, 25 July 2025 04:42 PM

This is a drama played by Namal Rajapakshe paying some thousands to the dealers to degrade the stance of the Government. My friend who got 20,000/- told me about this.

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