Sri Lanka, April 8 -- Measures will be taken to uplift local oil production and the coconut industry, minimizing the expenses for imports of palm oil, Trade Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena said in Parliament yesterday (07). An appeal should be made, stating the specific requirements, to the Secretary to the Finance Ministry to import palm oil as needed, Dr. Gunawardena also said. The Trade Minister made these observations in reply to a question raised by the government MP M. Muzzammil concerning the recent controversy related to coconut oil unsuitable for human consumption.

Dr. Gunawardena pointed out that from 2010 to 2014, 360 MN kilograms of milk powder have been imported and in 2015-2019, the amount of milk powder imported has incre...