President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has ordered the Excise Department Chief to issue a gazette notification banning the use of maize (corn) for the production of alcohol and ethanol.
The Commissioner is expected to issue a gazette notification today banning the use of maize for the production of alcohol and ethanol based on instructions issued by the Presidential Secretariat, according to local media outlets.
The looming ban comes as Fall Armyworm caterpillar (Sena) reportedly causing significant damage to maize crops in many areas of the country.
The President also instructed officials to be vigilant to prevent damage caused by insects such as Army Worm caterpillars to food crops.
The government has banned the importation of ethanol since the beginning of this year.