Sri Lanka, Nov. 16 -- l US$ 200 mn spent each year on imports of edible oil l Call to reject myths about the crop l Benefits to the country out-weighs interests of importers

Small-scale planters in the Kalutara district called on the Government that rode to power on the ballet and promise to be a people-centred administration to lift the ban on palm oil cultivation which would help save the drain of the much needed foreign exchange from the country on imports each year to meet the local demand.

Tea, rubber and spice growers in the district made a collective appeal to end the 'purely a myth based' ban which blocks a host of social and economic benefits to the farming community across the country during a media visit to the AEN Oil Palm M...