Sri Lanka, April 1 -- Uncalled for imports for consumption was one of the major contributors towards the depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee, Minister of Media Keheliya Rambukwella addressing the launch of a special program by the Mass Media Ministry and Colombo Business Association to promote rural businesses and find them a market place in Colombo.

Under this program special trade fairs will be held from April 1 to 11 in Matara and also from April 8 to 10 at Rupavahini premises in Colombo 7. The Minister also said that both the British pound and US Dollars which were around Rs. 14 in 1972 has now increased to over Rs. 200 and import restrictions should be justified specially for products that can be 'made in Sri Lanka'.

The Minister ...