Conflicting lab reports under scrutiny - Namal Karunaratne

Colombo, June 21 (Daily Mirror) - Investigators probing the controversial Chinese fertiliser deal will focus on conflicting laboratory reports, particularly how the National Plant Quarantine Services (NPQS) detected the microorganism Erwinia in samples from Qingdao Seawin Biotech—findings later disputed by a Singaporean lab.

Sri Lanka rejected the stock imported during the time of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the basis that it contained the microorganism called ‘Erwinia’

However, the Chinese supplier said later at that time that the stock of organic fertiliser shipped to Sri Lanka that plant, animal or human pathogens including Erwinia, was not detected in the samples tested in a laboratory in Singapore.

The company said later that the “unscientific detection method and conclusion of NPQS in Sri Lanka” are not in compliance with the International Animal and Plant Quarantine Convention. Seawin Biotech claimed further and urged that the Swiss SGS group, a top third-party testing organisation, should re-test whether the samples contain Erwinia.

The current government has started investigations into the financial frauds allegedly involving the then politicians in the import and rejection of this stock, resulting in a loss of over US $ 6 million to Sri Lanka. Statements have been recorded from then State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa and others.

Asked about the matter, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Namal Karunaratne said all aspects, including the reports by the NPQS would be investigated.

“It is an investigation encompassing all aspects,” he said.