News

Sri Lanka optimistic restrictions on tea by Russia will be lifted

18 Dec, 2017

The Government says it is optimistic restrictions imposed on local tea by Russia will be lifted.

Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen said that the restrictions imposed by Russia is not?a total ban on Sri Lankan products by Russia but only a suspension of one item.

?I am optimistic of a quick solution.?Russia and Sri Lanka have long-standing friendly and cordial relations. The only reason for our concern is that nearly 80% of our exports to Russia is Ceylon Tea. We praise President Maithripala Sirisena for his prompt action in contacting the highest levels of the Russian Government to resolve this,” the Minister said following urgent consultations with his officials.

Last year (2016) Russia ranked as the second largest buyer of all types of Ceylon Teas (including green tea made in Sri Lanka) at $ 143 Mn?the leading buyer in 2016 was Iran, at $ 154.10 Mn. However, in 2015 Russia was the topmost buyer of Ceylon Tea at $156.65 Mn, and the second leading buyer was Turkey.

Yesterday?President Maithripala Sirisena said he will make an official request from Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the restrictions imposed on Sri Lanka tea imports.

The Russian agricultural safety watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor announced last week that Russia will place temporary restrictions on imports of all agricultural products from Sri Lanka, including tea, from December 18.

The watchdog said it had taken the decision to impose restrictions after it found an insect, known as the Khapra beetle, in the packaging of one consignment of tea from Sri Lanka.

Recommended For You

Feature Image

Jaishankar says India helping Sri Lanka cope with crisis

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar says India is helping Sri Lanka cope with the economic crisis. Jaishankar said that India is paying a lot of attention to South Asia and the neighbouring countries are looking up to it to take lead in the integration of the region. Addressing an event in Delhi, the Minister was quoted as saying that India is now perceived as a lifting tide which can lift the entire neighbourhood. The Minister was speaking at a discussion on the book Modi@20: Dre

06 Jul, 2022

Feature Image

Husband arrested over Lankapura PS official’s murder

The husband of the Lankapura Pradeshiya Sabha Chief Administrative Officer has been arrested over the murder of the woman. The Chief Administrative Officer of the Lankapura Pradeshiya Sabha was stabbed to death recently. The woman had been stabbed at her residence. The 42-year-old officer suffered serious injuries and died on admission to hospital. The woman?s husband was with her at the time of the attack.(Colombo Gazette)

05 Jul, 2022

Feature Image

Army officer seen kicking man relieved of his duties

The Army officer seen kicking a man at a fuel station has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect. Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage has relieved the officer involved in the incident at the Yaggapitiya Petrol Station of all his duties with immediate effect. A parallel military investigation of the Sri Lanka Army Corps of Military Police (SLACMP) is also underway. A?video?showing an Army officer kicking a man at a fuel station has gone viral on social media. The video

05 Jul, 2022