Substandard canned fish returned to suppliers:Bandula

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana  

Around 28 companies had imported canned fish found to be unsuitable for consumption, Minister of Trade Bandula Gunawardene told 
Parliament yesterday.   

Minister Gunawardene responding to SJB MP Hesha Withanage in the House said such consignments which are not suitable for consumption had been sent back to 
the suppliers.   

He said action had been taken after authorities had examined the consignments.

   
Also the minister said the local canned fish industry had failed because of the action taken by the previous government to reduce the import duty on canned fish. “ The country had incurred Rs.11.8 billion on the importation of canned fish even during last year” he said.   

Withanage said substandard imported canned fish had entered the market and had been included in COVID-19 relief material which was distributed to people during the lock down period.