JVP blasts govt. for cement debacle
14 August 2011 07:52 pm
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The JVP yesterday charged that the government had imported the controversial stock of substandard cement from a Pakistani company which had been blacklisted previously not only in Sri Lanka but also in South Africa.
Addressing a news conference, JVP MP Vijitha Herath said this company based in Karachchi exported cement to Europe, Africa and some other countries.
Mr. Herath said a private company called Ajantha Steels had imported cement in November last year to Sri Lanka from this company, and the Sri Lankan Standard Institution (SLSI) rejected to accept the stock after testing the compressor strength.
“Later, the SLIS suspended the import of cement from the company until they improve the quality of their products. Yet, the government has once again made a blunder by importing some stocks from them. We want to know who is behind this move,” he said.
The JVP MP read out the letter sent by the SLIS to the company.
He also said a South African court had issued a ruling against the import of cement from this company.
“It is a serious matter now. We do not know why the National Co-operatives Council imported cement again from them. The stock has now been released to the market by the government despite SLIS recommendations against such a move. The SLIS asked the Customs not to release the stocks from their warehouses. However, it appears that some state sponsored goons had opened warehouses forcibly and taken away the stocks.”
Besides, the JVP said people would not purchase this cement because of the low quality, and therefore, the government would be compelled to use the stock for their construction projects.
“The government imported substandard drugs and petrol recently. Now, they have imported substandard cement. They are clueless not knowing who is doing what,” he said.
He added that, four months ago, constructors and traders warned of a possible cement shortage, but the government never took steps to face such an eventuality.
(Kelum Bandara)