AP Worldstream 

April 13, 2001

Sri Lanka announces ban on genetically modified food imports 

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka 

The government has announced a ban on imports of all genetically modified
foods from May 1, a state-run newspaper reported Friday. 

The Daily News quoted Health Minister W.D.J Seneviratne as saying that
public health inspectors will check all foods entering the country at sea
ports and airports. 

Sri Lanka, a country of 18.6 million people, imports a variety of foods,
including potatoes, orange juice, chocolates and soups. Apples from the
United States and Australia are also imported. 

Under the new order, the government will ban the import, manufacture,
transport, storage, distribution and sale of any food item that has been
produced using genetic engineering technology. 

Health ministry studies have shown that genetically modified chocolates,
oils and soups are marketed in Sri Lanka.