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The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka’s (Sri Lanka) Ministry of Health extended the implementation effective date of the Food (Color Coding for Sugar Levels-Liquids) Regulations (2022) from January 1, 2024 to January 1, 2025.

Rice is Sri Lanka's national staple, its productive cultivation is of national security concern. FAS Colombo (Post) forecast’s Sri Lanka’s market year (MY) 2024/2025 (October-September) rice production (milled) at 3.42 million metric tons (MMT), coming from a planted area of 1.1 million hectares, with yields of 4.57 metric tons (MT)/hectare (rough rice).

On October 20, 2022, the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) notified draft amendment standards (number 1) to SLS 1725-1:2021 for Processed Grain-based Food Products, Part 1: Multi/Mixed Grain to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

On October 20, 2022, the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) notified draft amendment standards (Number 1) to SLS 1725-2:2021 for Processed Grain-based Food Products, Part 2: Cornflakes to the World Trade Organization (WTO). WTO members are invited to submit comments on notification G/TBT/N/LKA/51

On October 20, 2022, the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) notified its draft amendment standards (Number 1) to SLS 894:2003 for bottled (packaged) drinking water to the World Trade Organization (WTO). WTO members are invited to submit comments on notification G/TBT/N/LKA/51. The comment period closes on December 20, 2022.

On October 20, 2022, the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) notified draft amendment standards (Number 1) to SLS 1725-3:2021 for Processed Grain-Based Food Products, Part 3: Rolled Oats to the World Trade Organization (WTO). WTO members are invited to submit comments on notification G/TBT/N/LKA/51.

On October 20, 2022, the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) notified draft amendment standards (Number 1) to SLS 1036:2020 for processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children to the World Trade Organization (WTO). WTO members are invited to submit comments on notification G/TBT/N/LKA/51.

On October 20, 2022, the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) notified draft amendment standards (Number 1) to SLS 1725-4:2021 for Processed Grain-Based Food Products, Part 4: Rice Flakes to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Sri Lanka does not produce genetically engineered (GE) crops or animals. There is some GE research at the laboratory level, but there is no commercialization. The lack of a legal framework and biosafety procedures are a major setback; the country is in the process of finalizing regulatory biotechnology policies.

On September 12, 2022, the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) notified draft amendment standards (number 1) to SLS 917:2018 for milk added drinks to the World Trade Organization (WTO). WTO members are invited to submit comments on notification G/TBT/N/LKA/51. The comment period expires on November 12, 2022.

Sri Lanka’s market year (MY) 2021/2022 (October-September) rough rice production of 2.57 million metric tons (MMT) was sharply lower, severely disrupted by the Sri Lankan government’s banning of chemical fertilizer imports.

On July 6, 2022, the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) notified draft amendment standards (number 1) to SLS 591:2014 for canned fish to the World Trade Organization (WTO). WTO members are invited to submit comments on notification G/TBT/N/LKA/51.