On February 24, 2023, preparations are underway to hold a massive demonstration in front of the Ministry of Commerce and the Department of Commerce.
Areca nut farmers, collectors, middlemen and non-smuggler local exporters all over the country are preparing to hold this protest. In particular, three months have passed since the export of this areca nut was stopped. Due to the huge economic crisis, the areca nut farmers and a large number of people associated with that movement have become extremely helpless.
Those people have expressed their displeasure with the current Minister of Commerce, Nalin Fernando, and the Department of Commerce, which has high-ranking corrupt officials. They are asking for support for their agitation regardless of color or party. According to the exporters, the country will lose approximately 50 million US dollars per month and 500 million dollars annually by stopping the export of Areca nuts.
They are of the opinion that this decision was taken at a time when the country does not have dollars, which is a political conspiracy.
