Wheat woes

8 November 2010 12:38 pm Views - 5547

By Kelum Bandara

The All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association has appointed a committee to recommend measures to be taken in the event of campaign against wheat flour consumption in the country.

The Association which held its annual convention on Sunday appointed this committee. Association’s President N. K. Jayawardane said that the adverse campaign coupled with high wheat flour prices had reduced bread sales mostly in rural and semi urban areas.

“Today, some persons cite wheat flour consumption as an act of terrorism. Therefore, we have to identify measures to counter such propaganda. We would also like to engage the government in this regard,” he said.

Mr. Jayawardane added that sales had dropped particularly in bakeries supplying bread to school canteens due to recent restrictions. 

“School authorities are not allowing students to bring wheat flour products even from outside,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Internal Trade Neomal Perera said that the government had not taken a policy decision to ban wheat flour consumption in the country.

“We would like to listen to the bakery owners and know what their grievances are,” he said.