An investigation has been launched into Anchor butter packets for violating the National Language Policy.
The Minister of National Integration, Reconciliation, and Official Languages Mano Ganeshan told The Sunday Morning, he has instructed the Commissioner of Official Languages to look into it.
The Anchor butter packets are being sold in supermarkets and elsewhere with information printed in English, Sinhalese, and Chinese.
Ganeshan said that having information on a product in English and Sinhalese and not Tamil is a violation of the National Language Policy.
He said that he has no issue with information being printed in Chinese but the local language must be given priority.
Ganeshan said that if the company importing and selling Anchor in Sri Lanka does not rectify the matter, he will personally take action.
Anchor butter is sold in Sri Lanka by Fonterra Brands Sri Lanka.
We could not reach Fonterra Brands Sri Lanka for a comment at the time this story was published. (ER)
UPDATE: Fonterra Brands Sri Lanka sent the following response on the matter regarding the languages on the Anchor Butter packaging:
Whilst our Anchor Butter Product Packaging is fully compliant with the packaging regulations of Sri Lanka, we understand and empathise with the recent concerns regarding the languages used on the pack.
To clarify, Anchor Butter is made, packaged and exported from New Zealand to multiple countries in East and South East Asia. The same pack is made available to Sri Lanka.
Hence, the product packaging includes the commonly spoken language in these respective countries.
We reiterate that the languages on the pack are not a reflection of our respect for diversity and the value we place on all our customers.