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Wednesday, 27 October 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Charumini de Silva
The Government yesterday reiterated that its foreign policy of ‘friends of all, enemies of none’ is unchanged, however, affirmed that Sri Lanka was not a dumping yard for friendly nations.
Following the evaluation of a sample of 96,000 tons of organic fertilisers imported from China, the National Plant Quarantine Services (NPQS) discovered banned bacteria, and the revelations have stirred much controversy since then with the Agriculture Ministry cancelling the controversial Chinese cargo and instead importing nano nitrogen liquid fertiliser from India last week.
“Historically, Sri Lanka has been a non-aligned country. Sri Lanka and China have remained close friends and that bond will continue.
However, it doesn’t mean that we have to allow low quality, substandard products to our country because of that friendship,” Cabinet Co-Spokesperson Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said in response to a query raised at the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) had been given stern directives to stop the entering and unloading of the organic fertiliser cargo in question from the Chinese vessel, Hippo Spirit.
“We have categorically stated that inferior quality fertiliser will not be imported to Sri Lanka and the reasons to reject it. We can clearly explain our position to the Chinese Government,” Dr. Pathirana said.
The Minister also said that there was no U-turn in the Government's stand with regard to the quality of fertiliser imported, noting that it was the very reason why the Agriculture Ministry ordered nano nitrogen fertiliser from India.
“It is the responsibility of the Government to import fertiliser that complies with the relevant standards. We strongly emphasise that the Government doesn’t import goods that are harmful to the country, nor does it have any plans to release such things to the country,” he added.
With speculation of Indian business tycoon Gautam Adani’s visit to Sri Lanka and the exploration of new opportunities, especially in the north, Minister Pathirana said foreign investments were “essential” for Sri Lanka to overcome the current foreign exchange crisis as well as for development purposes.
“Sri Lanka currently is among the less attractive countries compared to the rest of the world,” he said, adding that the Government has stepped up efforts to transform the situation and attract Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).
Dr. Pathirana stressed that it was the responsibility of the Government to create an investor-friendly background and facilities to attract foreign investors.
When asked about the Adani Group Chairman’s visit to Sri Lanka, he said that it was a personal short trip to the country, but that Adani may have inquired about new investment opportunities in the country.
“Although there is no official statement in this regard, there are speculations that the Adani Group Chairman had inquired about investment opportunities in Sri Lanka,” he said.
When asked if he had shown interest in investing in the energy sector, the Minister said that he was not aware, but that the Government had called for international bids on renewable energy where it had received a good response from both local and foreign investors.
Dr. Pathirana then categorically stated that the Government treats both local and international investors in the same manner.
“The proposals submitted by local and foreign investors are equally important and they are evaluated by experts. There is no special treatment to either of them,” he stressed.
