Kurunegala District Small Farmers’ Association Chairman S.M.Premaratne said the Government should prohibit importing foreign fruits these days since the country is now severely affected due to the lack of dollars.
Speaking at a meeting of fruit and vegetable farmers of the Kurunegala District, Premaratne said: “Many varieties of fruits such as apples and grapes have been imported to the country recently by spending millions of dollars and they can be purchased these days in main cities in Colombo, Negombo, Galle, Kurunegala and Kandy.
He said private leading businessmen even now import fruits unlimitedly and unnecessarily to Sri Lanka to earn profits. This has become a threat to the local fruit growers.
Local fruit growers are now frustrated over this plight and they request the Government authorities to take steps to safeguard the local fruit growers in the country. This unfavourable trend has led to deprivation of their livelihood.
Local producers of every type of fruit have to be encouraged at this critical moment in this country. As a result of these imports of fruits, consumers are reluctant to buy and consume locally- grown nutritious fruits even at lesser prices.
All steps have to be taken to make our people consume local products at all times to save the country and its people from the present economic crisis. Why does the Government authorities allow businessmen to waste dollars in this irresponsible manner at this time of economic crisis?
The Government should impose restrictions to curtail and immediately stop the importing of these fruits which are not health-friendly and wholesome like our own local fruits. No legal action seems to have been taken against the errant traders who waste and misuse valuable dollars meaninglessly these days by importing foreign goods which can be manufactured in Sri Lanka, he said .