Colombo, Jun 17 (IANS): The European Union has lifted its ban on fish imports from Sri Lanka, an official said on Friday.
Director of Government Information Ranga Kalanssoriya said the ban was lifted after a recent high-level discussion with the EU, Xinhua news agency reported.
The EU imposed the ban in October 2014 for Sri Lanka's failure to prevent local fishermen from violating international fisheries laws and the island country's human rights issues.
Sri Lanka's seafood exports were severely hit and continued to decline since the EU ban took effect.
Sri Lanka is one of the largest exporters to the EU of high-value fishery products such as swordfish and tuna.
According to the EU Commission, Sri Lanka exported to the EU countries 7,400 tonnes of fish worth $94 million in 2013 and over 5,000 tonnes of fisheries products valued at $62.99 million in 2014.