Cabinet has decided to temporarily remove the ban on the production and import of asbestos roofing sheets.

The ban was to be imposed from 2018.

The decision to suspend the ban was taken at yesterday's (19) Cabinet meeting.

It is speculated that Russia may have imposed a ban on agri imports from Sri Lanka in retaliation to Sri Lanka's proposed ban of asbestos from next year.

Russia happens to be the main supplier of asbestos raw material to Sri Lanka.

The Ministers have expressed hope, it might lead to Russia being lifting the ban on Sri Lankan agri imports.

Responding to questions from our news team, a senior government Minister said that discussions were also held at the Cabinet meeting with regards to taking necessary action in the future if sub-standard asbestos were imported.