The National Science Center stated that the levels of aflatoxin in coconut oil can only be detected with sophisticated, expensive testing that has not been done presently. They revealed on Wednesday (31) that only the Peradeniya University’s laboratory has been accredited with testing aflatoxin. They also stated that their requests to the government to only test the unrefined coconut oil in this laboratory have been ignored. "In Sri Lanka, there is only one laboratory accredited for testing aflatoxins in vegetable oils, which has been maintaining competency through continuous testing, surveillance, and research. This reliable testing capacity is with the Food Safety and Quality Assurance Laboratory of the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences at Peradeniya University," they said. "Our arguments and interpretations on various test reports from exporting countries or from unaccredited laboratories in other Sri Lankan institutions carry no sense in the light of this background. Some public media are excellent in fueling the flames with no scientific understanding. Institutions possess the expertise on protecting their own good names. Politicians listen to both sides and argue smartly in the august house with little scientific understanding. Scientific views are not obtained from the right persons or right places," the NSC said. Further, they also stated that the Coconut Authority was in charge of refining coconut oil and testing for aflatoxin. "More recent introduction of branding and bottling of coconut oils was a mechanism to trace the origins of possible aflatoxin problems in the long run. Against this situation, releasing imported coconut oil in bulk with no mechanism to establish the origin or identity boils down to opening the gates exposing consumers to the invisible risk of aflatoxins, which would be felt in years to come," they stated. They requested the government to assist them to make sure that all oils are aflatoxin free through the necessary procedure and not make Sri Lankan science an "occult science".