Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2017-12-19

The manufacture of asbestos, the usage and the import of raw material required for the manufacture of asbestos.

- The industrialists engaged in the production of asbestos as well as the experts on the subject have made various representations and submissions pertaining to the policy decision taken by the Government on 2016-09-06, imposing restrictions on the manufacture and use of asbestos in Sri Lanka and the import of the raw materials required for the manufacture of asbestos, to be effective from 01st January 2018.

80% of the asbestos imported to Sri Lanka is used for the manufacture of roofing sheets and several members of the Cabinet has brought to the notice of the Cabinet the difficulties faced by the housing constructors due to these restrictions. At this meeting, the difficulties in creating opportunities to purchase suitable alternative products in the market at a fair price, as well, due to the restrictions imposed on the use of asbestos in the country within a short span of time was extensively discussed.

As such, the Cabinet decided to suspend the said decision, until a further study is carried out and a final decision is taken, on the restrictions to be imposed pertaining to the manufacture and use of asbestos in Sri Lanka and the import of raw material required for the manufacture of asbestos which was to be implemented, with effect from 2018-01-01.