SRI LANKAN SUGAR INDUSTRY FACES COLLAPSE AMIDST IMPORTED SUGAR FLOOD ?
Employees of Lanka Sugar Private Limited warn of an impending collapse of the domestic sugar industry due to market dominance of imported white sugar and lack of fair pricing. Over 35,000 MT of local sugar remains unsold. With 9,000 jobs and 100,000 dependents at risk, they demand regulatory reforms and better support for local producers.
Employees of Lanka Sugar Private Limited are warning that the local sugar industry is facing a severe crisis and the threat of collapse due to the priority given to imported white sugar.
They highlight the critical issue of an inadequate price and insufficient market share for locally produced sugar.
Lanka Sugar Private Limited, operating as a fully state-owned enterprise, is the country’s largest sugar producer, meeting 10% of the nation’s sugar requirement and over 37% of its ethanol demand.
The company directly operates the Sevanagala and Pelwatte sugar factories, while the Athimale Sugar Factory is private, and Hingurana Sugar Factory is a semi-public enterprise.
Farmers state that Lanka Sugar Private Limited is currently facing a crisis of closure, exacerbated by the lack of a fair price for local sugar products and an insufficient market share.
Currently, over 35,000 metric tonnes of locally produced sugar are stuck in warehouses.
The influx of large quantities of imported white sugar into the market and the removal of import duties on it are further reducing demand for local products.
Employees of Lanka Sugar Company and other local sugar factories warn that the risk of closure is increasing.
Over 9,000 people employed in these factories, along with more than 100,000 dependents, are facing significant problems.
They are demanding a fair price for locally produced sugar and proper regulation of imported sugar.
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Source : Lanka Web
