Sri Lanka, April 5 -- The Colombo Rubber Traders Association (CRTA) joined the bandwagon in expressing deep concern about the recent imposition of a 44 percent blanket tariff by the United States on all imports from Sri Lanka and said it is particularly worried on the "devastating impact" it would have on Sri Lanka's natural rubber industry.

As one of the country's key export sectors, the natural rubber industry contributes significantly to both employment and foreign exchange earnings. Since the present tariff is 12.5 percent, the additional 44 percent will raise the total tariff to 56.5 percent, making Sri Lankan rubber exports highly uncompetitive in the US market.

"This is expected to have a far-reaching impact on the rubber tappe...