Sri Lanka, Sept. 20 -- Several attempts to smuggle turmeric were foiled by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) over the past week as the government continued to hold onto its decision to ban the import of the spice to promote local production.

SLN in a press release last week stated that the Sri Lanka Coast Guard seized about 1058kg of dried turmeric being smuggled into the country in the estuary of Deduru Oya, Chilaw.

During a special patrol in the estuary of Deduru Oya, Sri Lanka Coast Guard found the consignment stuffed in 21 gunny sacks, after inspecting a suspicious dinghy at the location. The stock of dried turmeric and the dinghy will be handed over to the Customs Office of Sinnapadu for further investigation in keeping with health guidelin...