Sri lankan Bakers In Trouble Over Government Policy On Wheat Based Products

We have been  getting news from  Sri lanka  on  its  govt  ridiculous  stand on wheat  based products . Sri  lankan government has  launched drive to  discourage  public institution from serving wheat based products  under pressure from local rice traders and farmers.The  government  has reimposed  an import  tax 15% on imported  wheat  to reduce  consumption  of flour  and support  rice prices  as reported by UN food and Agricultural Organisation.

News

In recent days it has been banning wheat products from various public institutions.
Nationalistic elements of the governing coalition even speak of "wheat terrorism".
Wheat products enjoy great popularity in Sri lanka - whether it is the rotis, widely eaten with curry, or breads, cakes and savoury pastries which are common here.Now, though, wheat products have been removed from government hospitals, govt prisons and fast foods - many made of wheat - have been banned from schools.
The government has also slashed a subsidy it used to apply to the wheat price.
It says this is because wheat is a foreign import, alien to an essentially rice-eating society and costly for its economy.Bread prices  have been increased  four times . Which makes buying bread  difficult  for lower income group population.

All Ceylon Bakery Owners' Association President NK Jayawardena, told the Colombo-based Sunday Times newspaper that hundreds of people who depended on the bakery industry, including bakers, have lost their jobs.

Source :  bbc.co.uk.

Here are few question one should ask this government 

Would government of  Srilanka ban Ceylon Biscuit Ltd products or Maliban biscuits ?
Biscuits and Breads are cheapest source of  staple food for millions  what are alternative foods ?
You cannot  have bakery products in volumes from rice flour .Its economically not feasible
Where would these  un employed worker  go?
What  would  happen  to  bakery industry  in  Sri lanka ?

Ceylon Biscuits Ltd- Srilanka s largest biscuit manufacturer -A profile

Ceylon Biscuit Ltd ( CBL ) , A major biscuit and cake manufacturer of Sri lanka was in news for
Launch of its products in China . CBL would be exporting to Chinese shores adding up china into its ever growing list of nations where it exports .Ceylon Biscuit Ltd exports its product to 36 countries .Sri Lankan has got the maximum consumption of biscuit per capita in Asia .
Sri Lankan Institute of Marketing ( SLIM) has awarded Munchee biscuit brand as the top most brand- 2009 of Srilanka and best brand to be exported . Munchee is aleading brand of Ceylon Biscuit Limited ( CBL )

A Profile
Established in year 1968 to manufacture high protein biscuits under the aegis of Care Organisation of USA and SriLankan government it has come a long way as top biscuit manufacturer of Sri Lanka with market share of more than 50% and with 10 manufacturing units in Sri Lanka and two units in India . It has taken over Bakemans factory in Ludhiana and Madras snacks and diet of Parry India, Chennai .

Products : It main products are biscuits , cakes , fruit juices and dried fruits , soya beverages , chocolates .

Major brands : Munchees,Ritzybury,Tiara,Cecil,Lankasoy,Samaposha,Rasa Hari , Go Jelly.
Competitors : Britannia , Maliban

Chairman : M.P. Wickramasingha
ManagingDirector:LMJ De Silva

HQ :
Ceylon Biscuits LimitedP.O.Box 3,High Level Road,Makumbura, Pannipitiya, Sri Lanka.
Tel:
Exports : +94-11-2855056Sales : +94-11-2855362Imports : +94-11-2857207
General : +94-11-2749749,+94-11-2749700
Fax:(+94)-11-2855367
website:www.muncheelk.com
E-mail:ceybis@muncheelk.com