The Attorney General has advised the Ceylon Fertilizer Company and Colombo Commercial Fertilizers Ltd to reach an acceptable financial settlement with the China-based Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group over the controversial fertiliser ship.
The fertilizer shipment in question was under the spotlight over the past few months after the National Plant Quarantine Services, which tested the fertilizer samples sent by the Seawin Biotech, revealed the detection of the microorganism called ‘Erwinia’ in September.
Authorities then decided to suspend the importation of organic fertilizer from Seawin Biotech. The Minister of Agriculture also insisted that the ship carrying the fertilizer consignment containing harmful bacteria will not be allowed to enter Sri Lanka.
The Chinese firm then announced that it will take legal action against local authorities for failing to comply with the commercial agreement.
The Ministry of Agriculture said however local companies will now come to a financial arrangement with the China-based Qingdao Seawin Biotech Group over the consignment of fertiliser.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet of Ministers, considering two Cabinet papers presented by the Ministry of Justice and the Minister of Agriculture has also directed the officials to arrive at a settlement based on the advice of the Attorney General.
