Mar 05, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Import and Export Control Department has banned import of ethyl alcohol with immediate effect.

Accordingly, imports of unmixed ethyl spirits of strength over 80% and mixed alcohols of all strengths have been banned under Import and Export Control Act and the Excise Ordinance, Import and Export Controller D.S.P. Senaratne has said.

The government has taken this decision since the country has an excess production of ethanol and also due to the decline of demand for locally produced ethanol.

Sri Lanka imported two million liters of ethanol last year and the ban is expected to save a large amount of foreign exchange.

The regulation is effective from the beginning of this month, Import and Export Control Department said.