Govt. plans to allow organic fertilizer cargo agreeing fresh test via third party: JVP

The Government was planning to accept the shipment of 96,000 MTs of organic fertilizer which was rejected following the laboratory tests in Sri Lanka while agreeing to conduct another test through a third party, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna alleged today.

Former JVP MP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa told a news conference that it was reported that the two Agriculture Ministers and higher officials of the Agriculture Ministry had attended a meeting at the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka on Monday (25) where they have reportedly agreed to conduct another test through a third party.

“This shipment of organic fertilizer of the Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group was rejected after tests conducted by the National Plant Quarantine Services as it contained harmful bacteria such as Erwinia. We learnt that the Government is planning to allow the cargo to unload in Sri Lanka after conducting another test through a third party. This is a serious situation. The Government should tell the truth to the country,” he said.

He said the two Agriculture Ministers and higher officials of the Agriculture Ministry had attended the said meeting following a request of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka whereas the practice was not to visit the Embassy but to embassy officials to visit the Ministers.

He said the ship which was carrying the controversial organic fertilizer cargo was reportedly sailing in the vicinity of Sri Lanka without being detected.

Dr. Jayatissa said it was a serious matter if the Sri Lankan authorities had agreed to conduct another test disregarding the two laboratory reports of the National Plant Quarantine Service in Sri Lanka.(Ajith Siriwardana)