By Xinhua
Colombo : Sri Lanka has temporarily banned imports of birds and poultry products from India following the outbreak of bird flu in the northeast Indian state of Manipur, a minister said here Saturday.
A.M. Baisz, deputy minister of livestock development, said that a temporary ban has been imposed with immediate effect.
"This would mean that no import licenses would be issued and this is a precautionary measure," Baisz said.
Sri Lanka's decision came after Manipur began culling 1.6 million birds. Concerns were raised that the avian influenza may have reached India from Myanmar and Bangladesh.
He said Sri Lanka has recently lifted poultry imports ban on the US and Australia.