Organic fertiliser import fiasco: Chinese company demands USD 8 Mn from NPQS

The Chinese Organic Fertilizer Manufacturer - Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group Co., Ltd. has sent a Letter of Demand to the National Plant Quarantine Service (NPQS) demanding USD 8 million for the damages caused due to ‘negligent conduct’ by local national agency claiming it resulted " loss of reputation of the company. 

Additional Director of NPQS Dr. W. A.R. T. Wickramaarachchi, letter claimed that the reports submitted by the NPQS indicating that the samples of Chinese manufactured organic fertiliser contained Erwinia are false. 

The letter of demand letter also demanded that the payment should be paid within three days or else the company will proceed with further legal action. 

Meanwhile, the cargo vessel carrying contaminated fertiliser from China –  now in the eye of a diplomatic and legal storm — was yesterday tracked in Sri Lanka’s waters off Beruwela, inching towards the Colombo Port.

Sri Lanka Navy spokesman Indika de Silva told the Sunday Times yesterday the ship was in the waters of Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone under the “innocent passage” provisions of international maritime law with the 20,000MT of fertiliser destined for Sri Lanka and found to be contaminated.