Sri Lanka bans corn from ethanol and alcohol production to stop corrupt middlemen

In Sri Lanka, Lanka Business Online reports the president has issued an order for corn to be banned as feedstock for ethanol and alcohol. Middlemen have been buying corn and turmeric from farmers at low prices, so the ban on ethanol production is an attempt to reduce the influence of unscrupulous third parties who are focused more on stockpiling and then receiving government loans for grain facilities. Instead, the government is focused on ensuring higher prices for farmers.