The Dambulla Dedicated Economic Center has received a stock of imported beetroot, said the President of the Dambulla Dedicated Economic Center, Shantha Ekanayake.
He said that several businessmen had telephoned him and told him that the beets had arrived at the Dambulla Economic Center the day before yesterday.
“ I came right away yesterday morning and checked. By that time the stocks had been sold out. However, a lorry had arrived from Nuwara Eliya and had unloaded about two thousand five hundred kilos, five pieces in one shop and 10 pieces in another shop. Farmers are not given fertilizer. But these vegetables are Imported in this way. If this happens the farmer will be extremely helpless. ”
Namal Karunaratne, National Organizer of the All Ceylon Agrarian Organization, called a press conference and stated that the stock of imported beets, which had been brought to Dambulla and stockpiled, had been sold at a wholesale price of 300 rupees.
“These beets have been imported at a price of around 100 rupees per kilo. The wholesale price is 300 rupees. Are you bringing in organically grown beets now? ”
“As a country we are crying for dollars. We spend a few dollars to bring in food that can be produced by the farmer in our country. ”
Controller General of Imports and Exports Damayanthi Rajakaruna had told the media that he had not given permission to import such a consignment of beetroot.
