Previously, she had ordered that their toddy be not purchased, citing as illegal their use of sugar for around 30 years to increase the alcohol content of the toddy.

Toddy tappers of Gampaha and Puttalam staged a strike today (03) against her order.

She has not included toddy tappers of Puttalam in her latest instruction.

President of the toddy producers association in northwestern province Nihal Rodrigo said they too, should be allowed to sell their produce in the next three days.

Thereafter, the matter could be sorted out through discussion, he said.

He said toddy tappers paid Rs. 14 billion of tax last year.