• Sri Lanka spent more than US$ 6000 million for the import of non essentials last year
• Over U.S.$ 3000 million incurred on fuel, U.S. $ 800 million on medicinal drugs

By Kelum Bandara   

The government will issue a gazette notification banning the import of over 600 non essential items , Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said.  The Minister said he learnt it from the Finance Ministry.  

He made these remarks at the function to mark the launch of the policy document’ Taking the Country on the Right Path’.  

It was launched in Colombo by 11 constituent parties of the government including Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). SLFP leader former President Maithripala Sirisena also attended it .  
Gammanpila said Sri Lanka had spent more than US$ 6000 million for the import of non essentials last year .  

“We have spent over US $ 3000 million for fuel , US $800 million for medicinal drugs . We have fixed up priorities ,” he said .  He said the Finance Ministry had decided to ban the import of over 600 items .  

“It is too late . But it is better late than never , “ he said .