The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal requiring all government institutions to purchase and use brown sugar in their food procurements, as part of a broader initiative to support and strengthen Sri Lanka’s local sugar industry.
The directive applies to all state agencies, including the three armed forces, the Sri Lanka Police, the Prisons Department, and government hospitals, which will now be required to use brown sugar in all food-related purchases.
According to the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, the Pelawatte and Sewanagala sugar factories—operated by Lanka Sugar Company (Private) Limited)—currently produce around 56,000 metric tons of brown sugar annually. The Ministry noted that this year’s output has surpassed that figure owing to an improved sugarcane harvest.
The government stated that the policy aims to strengthen the domestic brown sugar industry, protect the livelihoodsof factory workers and sugarcane farmers, and promote the consumption of high-quality local brown sugar among Sri Lankan consumers.
It was further decided that brown sugar will be purchased directly from Lanka Sugar Company (Private) Limitedfor distribution to consumers through official government supply channels.
