It was revealed in the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Increasing Export of Goods & Services that ethanol, which is a by-product of sugar factories, is currently in excess. Accordingly, the officials pointed out the need to prepare a program to export the ethanol in accordance with proper standards.

This was discussed when the Committee on Sectoral Oversight Committee on Increasing Export of Goods & Services met in Parliament on 21.11.2023 under the chairmanship of Member of Parliament – Buddhika Pathirana.

Benefiting from Ethanol import ban

It was revealed in the committee that sugar factories are currently benefiting due to the ban on the import of ethanol. Officials stated that it is more effective to issue alcohol production licenses to those sugar factories as this ethanol, which is a by-product of sugar production, is used for alcohol production.

The officials pointed out to the committee that the requirement of sugar in this country is about 600,000 metric tons. However, it was revealed in the committee that only 10% or 60,000 metric tons are produced in Sri Lanka for that need. Accordingly, the committee instructed the officials to prepare and submit an action plan to increase sugar production in 2024 within three months.

Creating awareness on sugar consumption

Also, since the knowledge of the people of this country about sugar consumption is at a very low level, the committee instructed the officials to prepare a formal programme to educate the people.

Officials said that although there is a good demand abroad for palmyrah arrack and other types of alcohol produced in Sri Lanka, the market has not been able to expand due to the weaknesses in the standards. Accordingly, the officials also pointed out the importance of taking necessary measures for the export of alcohol products in Sri Lanka in accordance with the proper standards.