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Import of 102 container loads of rotten fish: Role played by Customs, etc., raised at COPE

Published

2 years ago

2024/01/29

Thilina Walpola

Officials of the Department of Import and Export Control appearing before the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE)

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The Department of Import and Export Control has said that it cannot confirm whether 98 container loads of rotten fish brought into the Colombo Port a couple of years ago had been used for producing fertiliser, as claimed by a local fertiliser manufacturer ,who also runs a canned fish factory.

This transpired recently when the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) questioned the Department of Import and Export Control over its failure to keep track of the massive stock of rotten fish that had been brought into the country on a request made to the Department by Customs on behalf of the fertiliser manufacturer.

State Transport Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna chaired the meeting that was attended by MPs Prasanna Ranaweera, J. C. Alawathuwala, Ashok Abeysinghe, Isuru Dodangoda and Weerasumana Weerasinghe.

Officers of the Auditor General’s Department told the House committee that though the relevant authorities declared that 98 container loads of rotten fish had been allowed in, they believed that the total consignment consisted of 102 containers.

Expressing concern over the missing container loads of spoilt fish, the AG Department officials stressed that they couldn’t be sure of the use of spoilt fish for the intended purpose.

During the proceedings, the Department of Import and Export Control claimed that of the 98 container loads of spoilt fish, only 43 had been utilised in the manufacture of carbonic and the rest were to be re-exported. Of that unused lot, 15 container loads had been used to produce compost under the supervision of the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) according to the Department of Import and Export Control.

However, the AG Department maintained that there was no way to ascertain the usage of the spoilt fish. The AG Department brought the operation of a canned fish manufacturing plant by the fertiliser producer prompting COPE Chairman lawmaker Alagiyawanna to summon all concerned, including the spoilt fish importer.

The COPE Chairman asked the Department of Import and Export Control to put in place a mechanism to ensure proper scrutiny of such imports.

The issue came up when the Department of Import and Export appeared before COPE on January 23 to explain its position with regard to the AGs reports on 2021 and 2022. The COPE was told how Customs, on behalf of a local fertiliser producer, sought to secure the entire consignment of spoilt fish after Thailand refused to accept that load.

A container carrier on its way to Thailand from Seychelles had lost its power due to a technical defect and their failure to rectify the problem resulted in the ruination of the entire stock, the COPE was told.However, the proceedings hadn’t shed light on how the importer dealt with the unused consignments.

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Latest News

Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya

Published

5 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya for the next 24 hours commencing at 1200hrs today [08]

Accordingly
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy District, Wilgamuwa in the Matale District, and Nildandahinna and Walapane in the Nuwara Eliya District.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Meegahakiwula, Welimada, Kandaketiya, Lunugala, Badulla, Passara, Uva Paranagama and Hali_Ela in the Badulla District, Ambanganga Korale in the Matale District, and Mathurata and Hanguranketha in the Nuwara Eliya District.

Latest News

Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area

Published

11 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

Deep depression Track. [Source: RSMC]

Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area.
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, Department of Meteorology at 10.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 for the period until 10.30 a.m. 09 January 2026

The depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka has intensified into a deep depression and is centered near latitude 5.4°N and longitude 85.3°E, about 420 km southeast of Pottuvil at 05.30 a.m. today (08th). The above system is currently (10:00 a.m.) located about 300 km southeast of Pottuvil.

It is very likely to move west-northwestwards across the southwest Bay of Bengal and cross the Sri Lanka coast between Hambantota and Kalmunai between 5.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. on Friday [9th January 2026].

Hence, showery, and windy condition over the island, particularly in the Northern, NorthCentral, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces is expected to enhance from today (08th).

For the Land area:

DAMAGE EXPECTED:
• Damage to huts, temporary shelters and light structures
• Destroy the roof tops/ sheets etc.
• Damage to power and communication lines.
• Breaking of tree branches and uprooting of large avenue trees.
• Damage to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards.
• Damage to harbor yachts
• Flash flood
• Sea water inundation in low lying areas in the near coast.

Action suggested for the Land area:
• Coastal hutment dwellers are advised to move to safer places. Other people in the affected areas to remain indoors.
• People living in hilly areas (particularly landslide prone areas) and low lying areas in river basins are requested to be vigilant.
• Drivers and people using roads in the hilly areas are requested to be vigilant.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• General public is requested to be vigilant regarding impending extreme weather situation.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
• Requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.

Latest News

Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and showers about 50-75 mm in other areas

Published

17 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

WEATHER FORECAST FOR 08 JANUARY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

The depression over the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka, was centered near latitude 5.3°N and longitude 86.0°E, about 490 km southeast of Pottuvil, at 11:30 p.m. yesterday (07). It is expected to move west-northwestwards and towards the eastern coast of the island during next 24 hours. This system is likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours.

Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere in the Island after 1.00 p.m. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces. Fairly Heavy showers about (50 – 75) mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island.

Strong winds about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over the Eastern slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.