Sri Lanka, June 12 -- The export of mineral resources in their raw form without value addition faces an official ban under Sri Lanka's updated National Mineral Policy, which takes effect after 27 years.

Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunneththi announced the implementation of the revised strategy during a press briefing yesterday. Under the new framework, regulations will cover the entire mineral supply chain, spanning exploration, extraction, processing, and value addition to stop unprocessed raw materials leaving the country.

The national economy historically missed out on vital economic returns and foreign currency because the majority of mineral wealth left the country as raw commodities, Sunil Handu...