The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to make it mandatory for all government institutions to procure only brown sugar in their food purchases, as part of efforts to support Sri Lanka’s local sugar industry.
The decision applies to government agencies including the three armed forces, the Sri Lanka Police, the Prisons Department, and government hospitals, which will now be required to use brown sugar in all food procurements.
According to the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, the Pelawatte and Sewanagala sugar factories—operating under Lanka Sugar Company (Private) Limited—produce around 56,000 metric tons of brown sugar annually. This year’s output has exceeded that figure due to a strong sugarcane harvest.
The government said the move aims to strengthen the local brown sugar industry, protect the livelihoods of factory employees and sugarcane farmers, and promote high-quality local brown sugar among consumers.
It has also been decided that brown sugar will be purchased directly from Lanka Sugar Company (Private) Limited for supply to consumers through government channels. (Newswire)
