Farmers, traders and activists continued their protest for the third day against the compulsory use of plastic containers for transportation of their produce.

Protest in Colombo

There were protests by the traders in the Manning Market, Colombo and by farmers and traders in provincial towns.

"Onions imported from India are in sacks and there seems to be no concern or no complaints about that", they say.

The farmers told BBC Sandesaya that the government's decision is unfair and unreasonable.

Many farmers and traders joined protests in Balangoda and Embilipitiya on Wednesday

"We never received any compansation when the harvest was ruined due to floods, but the authorities are so keen to enforce plastic baskets. We don't even have proper toilets in Bandarawela market". an angry farmer told the BBC.

Market closed

Bandarawela Vegetable Market was closed for the third day and thirty eight protesters were arrested by police on Tuesaday.

Haputale Wholesale Vegetable Market also came to a halt on Wednesday.

In Colombo, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) held a protetest in support of farmers and traders.

They called upon the government to raise salaries of government servants and private sector employees.