Aluthgamage insists that Chinese shipment of fertiliser will not be allowed

Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said he had no objections if the ongoing dispute over the Chinese fertiliser shipment is resolved diplomatically, but the consignment will not be allowed into the country.

Minister Aluthgamage was reacting to reports that the government would have to pay the money to the Chinese company as the LC’s had already been opened.

“My position is that even if the issue is resolved through discussions, the ship will not be allowed to unload the fertiliser”, Mr Aluthgamage told Timesonline.

Meanwhile Plantation Minister Dr Ramesh Pathirana said that the dispute over the shipment reportedly carrying organic fertiliser contaminated with hazardous substances  was a trade dispute between the Chinese company Quingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co. Ltd. of China and the Ministry of Agriculture of Sri Lanka.

However, government sources said that it appeared that Chinese government was increasing its pressure on Sri Lanka to accept the fertiliser stocks and keep to its commitment.