Hippo Spirit sets conditions to leave Sri Lanka, demands compensation

COLOMBO (News 1st); The ship 'Hippo Spirit' carrying Chinese-manufactured fertilizer is currently anchored off the Sri Lankan coast near Kalutara, bordering 12 nautical miles in Sea of Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, the state fertilizer companies, who imported the stock of fertilizer, said that Quingdao Seawin Biotech Ltd. had submitted several conditions to the Government for the ship to return to its origin country. One of the main demands was for the Government to issue a statement with the reason for the refusal of the fertilizer stocks, which was arriving in the country without the approval of the Plant Quarantine Service. The Chinese company has also made it a condition that reparations be paid for the return of the ship and the number of days of delay. However, when inquired by News 1st, the Ministry of Agriculture stated that no fee will be paid for the ship's return. Secretary to the Ministry Prof. Udith K. Jayasinghe stated that there is no legal obligation to pay any amount for an unordered item.