Diesel shipment in international waters, refuses to enter local waters till payment made

31 March 2022 08:27 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 18 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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** The captain was holding the vessel in international waters till the payment was released

** The President had given a guarantee that funds would be released for the shipment, but the captain has refused to accept this guarantee

**The government is liable for demurrage fees for the delay in clearing the shipment but right now no immediate funds are available for the shipment to be unloaded.

**This will lead to the diesel shortage presently existing in the market, to be extended by a few more days

A ship carrying the much required diesel shipment for this week is currently in international waters and the captain of the vessel is refusing to enter local waters, till such time the payment for the shipment is made upfront, senior sources in the industry told Daily Mirror last evening.

It is still unclear how many tonnes of diesel the vessel is carrying but sources said the captain was holding the vessel in international waters till the payment was released.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had given a guarantee that funds would be released for the shipment, but the captain has refused to accept this guarantee. He also fears that if his vessel enters local waters, it will be kept lying for several days with the Sri Lankan government being unable to clear it.

The government is liable for demurrage fees for the delay in clearing the shipment but right now no immediate funds are available for the shipment to be unloaded.

Once the government confirms that the payment is ready and has been made the vessel will enter the Colombo Port for unloading.

This will lead to the diesel shortage presently existing in the market, to be extended by a few more days.

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has requested the public not to queue at filling stations for diesel as no stocks are available.

However from the shipments already received, diesel will be distributed for essential supplies only. (JAMILA HUSAIN)

Comments - 18

Boris Vanculenberg Thursday, 31 March 2022 09:26 AM

Pay them also as you did for the Chinese ship that brought excrete

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Jhonny Thursday, 31 March 2022 09:31 AM

What a sad situation, even the country's President is "pus". Perhaps if he guarantees his personal wealth, the fuel may be released ?

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Roisin Thursday, 31 March 2022 09:51 AM

The captain has a lot of knowledge of human behavior, he is a very clever man not to trust the presidents words. The image of the Rajapaksa's is well known in foreign countries too.

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Eper Thursday, 31 March 2022 10:13 AM

Pls follow international banking terms(not personal assurances) n immediately clear the diesel prior to incurring demurrage n not burden the road users any more.

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Nimco Thursday, 31 March 2022 10:16 AM

Kaput hit the ship....?

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Muhandiram Thursday, 31 March 2022 10:17 AM

If only Cabraal, the most incompetent Governor of the Central Bank to date, deferred payment of the Bonds amounting to USD 500 Millions in Jan. last, as suggested by various well meaning people, wouldn't there have been enough dollars to pay for this shipment? As bad or even worse is the Ship's captain Rejecting the country's President's Assurance that payment will be made, which is a pointed INSULT not only to the President but to the country as a whole. Isn't it time that Cabraal is given the Marching Orders?

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BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 31 March 2022 10:33 AM

This Captain has a good backbone than the Ponna President of this country whose only heroism is about abusing minorities of this country.

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Kikazaru Thursday, 31 March 2022 11:01 AM

The assistance given by the executive president of Sri Lanka is not accepted by the captain of the ship. The shows the level Sri Lanka has fallen to. Sri Lanka is bankrupt. May be the clown at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka is saving dollars to pay back the loans maturing in June. He must go. The country is in a mess.

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ANDARE Thursday, 31 March 2022 11:02 AM

DO NOT WORRY - PROSPERITY

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Amaya Thursday, 31 March 2022 11:08 AM

where is that Loku goo ? Let us listen to his BS of enough oil everywhere..

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roni Thursday, 31 March 2022 11:25 AM

Cabarrala where are y ,where is the seamless transition of funds on your road map to ADVERSITY. You aspired to be a member of the team to progress but it has been regress from day ONE.

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Cherath Thursday, 31 March 2022 11:48 AM

I think the ship captain is sticking to common sense here. One has to be out of his mind to trust any undertaking by the President or his government.

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johan Thursday, 31 March 2022 12:05 PM

Present rulers brought disrepute to Chi- Lanka

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Lanka Shantha Thursday, 31 March 2022 12:41 PM

Once the seller receives the fund, he will ask the shipping company will direct the Master of the vessel to discharge the cargo. Another point the ship may ask for $ 15,000 - 20, 000 per day as demurage .

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Mahila Thursday, 31 March 2022 12:55 PM

State of affairs seem well published and known by all. Hand to mouth existence because, irresponsibly pegging the dollar for 1.5 years at unrealistic rate!!!

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Punchi Banda Thursday, 31 March 2022 01:00 PM

Please ask India our new found friend to pay. They are paying for most things now

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6.9 mn idiots choice. Thursday, 31 March 2022 01:04 PM

What a sad situation we are faced with. This takes us back to our grand parents bed time stories about Devils,Angeles and miracles to make us to sleep. Similarly you all are making wonderful stories to save your skins. You all are treating us school kids. But remember this govt will end in disaster..

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Rene Friday, 01 April 2022 07:28 AM

We must all get back to bullock carts.

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