- Cites practical realities for econ./religious-cultural life
The National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) organisation has urged the Government to reconsider the proposed law to ban the sale of unpackaged or 'loose' coconut oil
A Cabinet paper had been submitted recently to halt the sale of unpackaged coconut oil in the market.
In a statement, which was shared with The Daily Morning, the NMSJ General Secretary, Sunil Jayasekara said that food-related laws and policies must align with social and cultural realities of Sri Lankan life. "The aim of this proposed ban is reported to be to curb certain malpractices in the coconut oil market. But, before such a law is introduced, the authorities must take into account the practical issues that people will face in everyday life. It’s important to understand how the majority of the population actually buys essential items like coconut oil." He said that most people in the country, especially those in rural areas and even many urban low-income families, don’t have the means to buy large quantities of coconut oil. "What they can afford at a time is a bottle, half a bottle, or a small packet. This is how the average household shops, and it’s a reality reflected in retail stores," Jayasekara noted.
He further added: "Coconut oil is not something that is only used in the kitchen. People take coconut oil when they visit temples and shrines. It's part of everyday religious and cultural life. This sort of a ban would completely ignore this way of life. It would punish the ordinary people who depend on buying commodities in small, affordable amounts. Tackling fraud or malpractice in the coconut oil industry is important, but, it has to be done in a way that does not punish the public."
He therefore urged the Government to take a step back and reconsider this move, and added that decisions that affect people’s basic needs and cultural practices must be made with care and understanding.