The Ministry of Environment is planning to launch an investigation into allegations that pest-infected imported flower stocks may have contributed to the spread of ‘White Fly’ infestations in the country.

The move follows claims made in Parliament by Opposition Parliamentarian D V Chanaka, who alleged that a consignment of cut chrysanthemum flowers had been released despite being infected with the insect known as ‘White Fly’, which he claimed could threaten local food crops.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (24), Deputy Environment Minister Anton Jayakody said there had been no evidence so far to suggest that the alleged spread had occurred due to the imported flower stocks.

He noted that White Fly infestations had already existed in Sri Lanka in the past, particularly affecting coconut cultivation. “The white fly issue had already spread earlier across Sri Lanka, mainly harming coconut trees. It is not because of this incident that the spread happened,” he said.

Jayakody stressed the Government was not justifying the entry of infected stocks simply because the pest already existed in the country.

He said the flower consignment had been properly managed and destroyed, but added that a further investigation would be conducted to determine how the infected stocks entered the country and how similar incidents could be prevented in future.

According to reports, the consignment had arrived in Sri Lanka on 12 January in 18 cardboard boxes.

Authorities reportedly found no visible signs of pests or disease symptoms in 12 of the boxes during physical inspections and released those stocks.

The remaining infected stocks were later incinerated and destroyed on 30 January using an incinerator at the Bandaranaike International Airport.