Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2016-11-08

Prohibition of Cinnamon imports to Sri Lanka and the Amendment of Re-export Procedures of Spices

- Sri Lanka Cinnamon has been able to acquire a long standing reputation due to its unique quality, aroma, taste, flavour and colour. However, there has been reports recently of incidents of importing cinnamon to Sri Lanka from various countries and re-exporting same which has adversely affected the reputation of the Sri Lanka Cinnamon (Ceylon Cinnamon) in the global market. Having taken this situation into consideration, the proposal made by Hon. Daya Gamage, the Minister of Primary Industries, to band the import of cinnamon to Sri Lanka from other countries and taking into consideration, the importance of reviewing the Re-export Procedure through Sri Lanka Ports, to appoint an Officials' Committee, to amend the scheme for Temporary Importation for Exporting Processing (TIEP), was approved by the Cabinet.