Report in The Island, Nov 20, 2023
Cash strapped Sri Lanka has deprived itself of valuable foreign currency by exporting genuine Sri Lankan cinnamon to China as firewood for seven decades. SLPP lawmaker Yadamini Gunawardena has recently raised this issue at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on investment, chaired by State Minister DilumAmunugama.
Subsequently, the Export Development Board (EDB) has taken up this matter with China and necessary remedial measures have been taken. Last week, EDB officials informed the Consultative Committee of the consensus reached to export cinnamon as a food product to China.
The National List MP has emphasized the need for remedial measures to ensure genuine cinnamon spices, cinnamon oils and many other cinnamon products were exported under the correct category. Sources said that this should have been addressed decades ago but Foreign Ministry and the EDB appeared to have neglected their responsibilities .
https://island.lk/cinnamon-exported-as-firewood-to-china-for-seven-decades/
