EU finalizes lifting ban on Lanka's fish exports

The European Union has finally lifted the ban imposed on Colombo's seafood exports with immediate effect.

The Government Information Department announced that the ban imposed on Sri Lanka's seafood exports to the European Union has been lifted with immediate effect.

The European Union had in January last year imposed the ban on Lanka's fish exports to European countries due to engagement in Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities.

In April this year, the EU arrived at the decision to partially lift the ban following several rounds of discussions and decided to allow Lanka to export fish within the next few months, reports Colombo Page.

The order to completely lift the ban was to be submitted to the European Parliament for approval.

The European Commission had on April 21 lifted the ban after evaluating the progress made by Sri Lanka in complying with the European Union requirements to get the ban lifted.