For anyone who has questions on why we have a turmeric crisis in Sri Lanka right now, let me present to you Exhibit A: the most recent para tarriff revisions for several semi-essential HS Codes. Of the 600 bucks you pay for a kilogram of kaha/turmeric 60% goes to the Treasury.

SCL or Special Commodity Levy is the worst kind of paratarrif. Its only intention is to restrict imports and is valued randomly based on subjective jugdement, (unlike PAL- Port and Airport Levy, CESS or NBT- Nation building tax).

This is killing consumption and is bad economics.

If the government wants to end the turmeric crisis, they don't need to appoint a Minister of Turmeric. They should just gazette a slashing of the SCL and just allow free inflow of imports without catering to special interests of a select few local producers and traders.

The practice of imposing "local industry-friendly" import controls like the SCL are not unique to the current gov. The previous administration, which I served, also struggled with this. It's a trade approach issue.The former gov slashed many tarriffs but not even close to enough.