Chinese firm wants Sri Lanka to pay for “negligence”
The Hindu
Fertilizer row escalates after Sri Lanka rejects “contaminated” consignment
A Chinese firm has demanded $8 million from Sri Lanka for “negligence” in testing its fertilizer sample, escalating tensions persisting for weeks since Sri Lankan authorities rejected a “contaminated” consignment from the firm.
Further, Chinese diplomats are scheduled to meet Sri Lankan authorities on Monday [November 8], The Morning newspaper here reported, over the controversy that appears to be straining bilateral ties.
In a Letter of Demand to the National Plant Quarantine Service of Sri Lanka’s Department of Agriculture, the Chinese firm accused authorities of making an “erroneous conclusion” in its test. In October, Sri Lanka barred a Chinese ship carrying organic fertiliser, after the National Plant Quarantine Service tested samples and confirmed presence of “organisms, including certain types of harmful bacteria”.