Turmeric due in market at Rs 750, while smuggling continues

Locally-grown and processed turmeric will be available early next year, the government said.

The department of Export Agriculture said that local turmeric is ready for harvest and will be processed and available by January.

Director General Dr. A.P. Heenkanda said farmers are being trained to dry and process the raw turmeric. There are programs on state television channels on drying and processing techniques.

The price he said will be marked slightly higher than Rs. 750 to encourage farmers.

But smuggling by sea and through Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) continues.

Early this month, 25,450 kilograms of dried turmeric worth Rs.19 million were found at the Colombo port, hidden among four containers of onions imported from Dubai.

The same week, the police detected 700 kilograms of dried turmeric worth Rs. 2.5 million along the coast of Kapalladi in Kalpitiya.

At the beginning of this month, the navy intercepted 3,584 kilograms of dried turmeric in Puttalam close to the international maritime boundary line demarcating the seas of Sri Lanka and India.

On November 25 the navy found 1,067 kilograms hidden in sacks in a salt manufacturing outlet in Puttalam.

In October this year the navy found 4,150 kilograms of dried turmeric in a two-days search in the northwestern naval areas.

The marine police in Mandapam recently seized 1,000 kilograms of dried turmeric smuggled by boat in Puttalam.

Customs also said that around 11 tons seized from smugglers since the early December imports ban, and have been handed over by law enforcement.

Customs has 62 container loads of turmeric containing 30 metric tons in the Colombo port. Importers had been asked to ship them back.

Superintendent of Customs N.P .P. Ratnayake, said that only a few importers have obliged, while others are unable to pay huge fees.

A part of the smuggled turmeric has been donated to the Ayurvedic Corporation.

The balance still lies in the Colombo port.

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said that they have received several complaints on adulterated turmeric in the market.

Director general Asela Bandara, said legal action is being taken against those detected.

He suggested that buyers be vigilant.