MPs take aim at Sri Lanka minister over dumped coconuts

  30 November 2011    By Charles Haviland BBC News, Colombo

A government minister in Sri Lanka has come under fire over the fate of thousands of Indian coconuts.

Coconuts are an intrinsic part of Sri Lankan culture and cuisine

Questioned in parliament, internal trade minister Johnston Fernando admitted that 22,500 coconuts had been dumped in the sea last year.

They were imported because of a shortage in Sri Lanka but the scarcity had subsided by the time the nuts arrived, the house was told.

They were then thrown in the ocean so as not to compete with local producers.

Mr Fernando's remarks have been criticised as "hilarious", while the speaker said the coconuts should have been given to those in need.       Full Story>>>