The Registrar of Pesticides - Dr. G.A.B. Wijesekera has formulated the gazette notification and sent it to the ministry secretary - B. Wijeratne, for approval last June. In return, the ministry secretary has referred it to the minister, Duminda Dissanayake, the 'Ravaya' adds.

However, the approval is still pending, it further says.

The use of Glyphosate is believed to be the main cause for the chronic kidney disease (CKD) that is widespread in the North Central Province in the country.

On May 2015, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena announced that the imports and release of the agrochemical Glyphosate will be banned with immediate effect.

On June 11, Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake said imports and use of Glyphosate are banned under the Import and Export (Control) Act, No. 01 of 1969.

Sri Lanka Mirror's attempts to contact minister Dissanayake to inquire about the approval left pending for nearly three months, were unsuccessful.