February 22, 2022
2 mins read

Lanka completes return of illegally imported waste to UK

The 45 containers loaded onto a ship at a Colombo port on Monday were the final batch of 263 containers holding about 3,000 tonnes of waste…reports Asian Lite News

Sri Lanka has shipped out to the United Kingdom the last of several hundred containers filled with thousands of tonnes of illegally imported waste, officials said on Monday.

Several Asian countries have in recent years been pushing back against an onslaught of refuse from wealthier nations and have started turning back unwanted shipments.

The waste from the UK arrived in Sri Lanka between 2017 and 2019, and was listed as “used mattresses, carpets and rugs”.

But in reality, it also contained biowaste from hospitals, including body parts from mortuaries, according to customs officials, the AFP news agency reported on Monday.

The containers were not chilled and some of them gave off a powerful stench, officials said.

The 45 containers loaded onto a ship at a Colombo port on Monday were the final batch of 263 containers holding about 3,000 tonnes of waste.

“There could be fresh attempts to import such hazardous cargo, but we will be vigilant and ensure that this does not happen again,” customs chief Vijitha Ravipriya said.

The first 21 containers holding medical waste were returned to the UK in September 2020, according to customs.

A local company had imported the waste from the UK, saying it planned to recover the springs from used mattresses as well as cotton to be reshipped to manufacturers abroad.

But customs failed to find credible evidence of such “resource recovery”.

A local environmental activist group filed a petition demanding the waste be returned to its sender and Sri Lanka’s Court of Appeal upheld the petition in 2020.

Customs maintained that all the containers had been brought into the country in violation of international law governing the shipment of hazardous waste, including plastics.

A Sri Lankan investigation in 2019 found the importer had reshipped about 180 tonnes of waste brought into the island to India and Dubai in 2017 and 2018.

The Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia have also returned hundreds of containers of refuse to their countries of origin.

ALSO READ-Biden hits back at Putin with sanctions

Previous Story

Global Covid caseload tops 425.7 mn

Next Story

Afghanistan reignites massive polio vaccine drive

Latest from -Top News

Pakistan FM Due in Bangladesh

During his visit Dar will hold discussions with the Foreign Affairs Advisor Towhid Hossain and also call on Muhammad Yunus…reports Asian Lite News Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar

Balochistan: Where the State Makes People Disappear

The victims include students, journalists, and peaceful protesters, many of whom were abducted from cities such as Karachi and Islamabad….reports Asian Lite News A human rights organisation on Monday revealed that 785

Monsoon Havoc in Pakistan

Since June 26, torrential rains have killed at least 299 people—including 140 children—and injured 715 in Pakistan…reports Asian Lite News Since June 26, torrential monsoon rains have devastated Pakistan, killing at least

Bangladesh’s Dark Turn

With the Awami League outlawed and absent from the electoral fray, a vacuum has emerged — one that has not necessarily been filled with stability….reports Asian Lite News Bangladesh’s political landscape has
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Microsoft announces new AI office in UK

Writing in a blog post announcing the new hub, he

West reaffirms commitment to strengthen ties with India 

West’s discussions with senior Indian ministers will centre on driving