This was revealed when three companies who had imported the areca nuts made a written request for the seed certification from the Agriculture Department.

The three companies are Fancy Traders, R.M. Holdings and Commodities for Porter.

These companies had produced the TIEP permits issued by the Sri Lanka Customs to the Agriculture Department and the Director General of the Agriculture Department had informed the Customs Director General to certify if the Customs permits produced were genuine.

When the Customs Spokesman was contacted in this regard, he said the relevant officer, Saman de Silva was currently overseas and a response could be given upon his return to the country.