The Sri Lankan cabinet has decided to suspend the ban on the use of white asbestos on state run institutions which was approved earlier this year.
The suspension of the ban comes amid Russia's ban of imports of Sri Lankan tea, which government officials believe was a retaliatory move over the asbestos prohibition.
A full ban will continued on blue asbestos, which will come into effect on Janaury 1, 2018.
Sri Lanka is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a journalist. Tamil journalists are particularly at threat, with at least 41 media workers known to have been killed by the Sri Lankan state or its paramilitaries during and after the armed conflict.
Despite the risks, our team on the ground remain committed to providing detailed and accurate reporting of developments in the Tamil homeland, across the island and around the world, as well as providing expert analysis and insight from the Tamil point of view
We need your support in keeping our journalism going. Support our work today.