May Day, May Day for Scotia Prince!

By T. Farook Thajudeen

The Colombo Commercial High Court yesterday issued a warrant for the arrest and detention of the cruise ship MV Scotia Prince that was used for the Colombo-Tuticorin ferry service on charges of having defaulted payments for bunkering.

Judge P.W.D.C. Jayathilaka issued the warrant to the Colombo Port Marshal, directing him to detain the vessel after considering the submissions made by Counsel Damayanthi Francis instructed by K. Poobalasingham of K.P. Law Associates.

Francis, who appeared for M.A. Razak and Company Ltd., submitted that the company had provided bunkering services to the cruise ship while in Sri Lanka.

She said at the request of the Indian operators of MV Scotia Prince, the company through Lanka Marine Services Ltd. had supplied gas, fuel, lube oil and other services to the vessel in October and November.

MV Scotia Prince owed Razak and Company US$ 478,173.23 for the bunkering services, but despite several reminders this amount had not been settled.

Court noticed the defendants to appear in court on 7 December.