Controversial LPG tanker 'Maria' returns

'Maria,' a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker which reached the Sri Lankan waters in the last week of June, had returned to the Litro Gas private terminal and has been carrying out operations for the last three days, sources reported.

The ship, which was registered under the Iranian National Shipping Corporation, was sent to Sri Lanka with the involvement of a prominent company going by the name of Primex. This time too, 'Maria' was said to have returned to the Island to unload a stock of oil at the Litro Gas private terminal in Kerawalapitiya.

When Daily Mirror contacted the Navy, they confirmed that a ship registered by this name had indeed reached Sri Lankan waters and had been carrying out unloading operations till yesterday (23). Several attempts to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Minister Ajith P. Perera, had failed. (Kamanthi Wickramasinghe)