Business
Coconut Development Authority rejects media reports on ‘toxic’ coconut oil in the market
by Sanath Nanayakkare
All coconut oil stocks imported to the country are subjected to stringent quality checks by the Coconut Development Authority (CDA), the Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI) and the Ministry of Health, therefore, there’s no room for any imported coconut oil with toxic substances to enter the Sri Lankan market, CDA Chairman Keerthi Sri Weerasinghe told The Island Financial Review (IFR) yesterday.
He said so when the IFR spoke to him in the wake of several media reports that imported coconut oil containing Aflatoxins have found their way to the shelves of supermarkets and grocery stores in the country.
“We have a stringent process for checking the quality of imported coconut oil and only if the government stipulated criteria is met, we allow imported coconut oil to be brought into the country beyond the Port of Colombo. So we categorically deny these unfounded reports that may have caused a sense of undue fear in consumers,” he said.
Further speaking he said: “If we find any coconut oil stock that doesn’t meet our standards, we take immediate action to re-export or repatriate it. Even the stocks that are found to be non-toxic don’t directly go to the consumer. These goods first go to the refinery before going to the market. and once they are refined only, they are authorized to be sold.”
“At the refinery, all imported coconut oil stocks are subjected to a physical RBD process, meaning it is Refined, Bleached, and Deodorized to remove any contaminants. It is a physical process entirely without any chemical treatments. The Aflatoxin level of coconut oil gets to zero after this meticulous RBD process. Furthermore, only trace amounts of fatty acids are left after this refining process, enhancing the nutritional value of the coconut oil,” he explained.
“I can assure consumers as chairman of the CDA that RBD oil can be consumed without any fear or concern though it can cost a bit more than other varieties they find in the market. It is no secret that some local mills use copra with fungus to extract coconut oil. The perishable copra is dried outdoors but there is no proper cleaning of the fungi before the oil is extracted. These mills don’t refine, bleach or deodarize their products nor do they bother about toxic substances or fatty acids and they tend to sell their goods on the outskirts of cities. Most of these nefarious trade practices take place outside of Colombo.”
When asked about coconut oil imports to the country, he said,” Coconut yield is not always the same year-round. There is a good yield season and a not so good season. So we have given permission to import coconut oil. We import about 200, 000 tonnes which is 80% of our total coconut oil requirement. The import tax varies according to available local yields to strike a balance between imports and consumer prices. Also, we have to be mindful of having enough coconuts going round for manufacturers of coconut-based products. Otherwise their cost of production will go up and their export businesses will have a negative impact. So it’s a careful balancing act between having enough coconut oil and coconuts for consumers and leaving enough coconuts for industrialists for their business activities while at the same time making sure that no toxic or substandard coconut oil enters our market,” he said.
Business
President briefs Sri Lankan delegation leaving for tariff related discussions in Washington
A Sri Lankan delegation is set to participate in discussions in Washington, D.C., focusing on tariff-related matters, following an invitation extended by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). This is the second in-person meeting aimed at ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral trade relations between the two nations.
This initiative builds on several prior virtual interactions held between the USTR and Sri Lankan officials, and underscores a commitment to deepening economic ties. The upcoming talks are anticipated to explore avenues for enhancing trade cooperation and securing favourable outcomes for Sri Lanka, in light of current economic priorities.
Ahead of the visit, a high-level meeting was convened today under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Disanayake to ensure the country’s interests are well represented. The discussion focused on aligning the delegation’s approach with Sri Lanka’s broader economic strategy, ensuring the best possible outcomes from the upcoming discussions.
Key participants at the meeting included Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma; Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, K.A. Vimalenthirarajah; Duminda Hulangamuwa, Senior Economic Advisor to the President; Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe; Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development K.M.M. Siriwardana; Nirmal Vigneshwaran, representing the Attorney General’s Department; and Dharshana Perera from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Details of the discussions in Washington are expected to be made available following the conclusion of the meetings.
[PMD]
Sri Lanka’s largest tourism exhibition, “Tourism Renaissance 2025” (Sancharaka Udawa 2025), was inaugurated on Friday (23) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
Organized jointly by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO), this event brings together key stakeholders across the tourism industry. It offers a valuable platform for small and medium-scale enterprises, as well as individuals aspiring to enter the tourism sector, to connect with market opportunities and showcase their products and services.
The two-day exhibition, which ends on Saturday [24], features 250 trade stalls and includes participation from a wide range of sectors such as hotels, tour operators, airlines, service providers and educational institutions.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath stated that the government has declared 2025 the “Year of Tourism Renaissance,” with plans to generate USD 5 billion in revenue from the tourism sector by the end of the year.
Also in attendance at the opening ceremony were Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Aruni Ranaraja, SLAITO Chairman Nalin Jayasundara, SLTPB Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam and a distinguished group of invitees including the Ambassador of Germany to Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka celebrated International Day for Biological Diversity with a vibrant national event at the Popam Arboretum in Dambulla, centering on the theme “Be part of the Plan.” The celebration, attended by students, researchers, community members, and officials, was led by Minister of Environment Dr. Dhammika Patabendi, who emphasized the country’s commitment to preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable development.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister Patabendi said, “As a government, we are committed to taking every possible step to protect our ecosystems and biodiversity. But this is not the responsibility of the government alone. It is a shared responsibility—one that requires the active participation of every citizen.”
The event highlighted the value of community involvement in conservation and featured a series of exhibitions and talks focused on sustainable tourism, traditional food systems, and environmental education. Locally sourced underutilized fruits and indigenous foods were displayed and shared by communities, underscoring the deep ties between biodiversity and traditional knowledge.
The celebration also featured two major guest lectures. Professor Cyril Wijesundara spoke on the current status of biodiversity in Sri Lanka, while Professor Gamini Pushpakumara presented on the promotion of underutilized food crops—a key element in ensuring food security and sustainability in the face of climate change.
“This is more than a celebration,” Minister Patabendi told journalists at the event. “It’s a reminder that sustainable development must go hand-in-hand with nature. We need to build our future with the forest, not against it.”
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