Sri Lanka sends 260 tonnes of illegally imported waste back to UK
Shipments violated international laws on hazardous waste
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sri Lanka has sent back to Britain 21 containers holding up to 260 tonnes of waste brought to the island in violation of international laws that govern the shipping of hazardous material.
The containers were thought to be carrying used mattresses, carpets and rugs but custom officials have said additional hospital waste was also shipped.
The containers first arrived in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo’s main port between September 2017 and March 2018 and were sent back to British shores on Saturday.
“The shipper had agreed to take back these 21 containers,” said customs spokesman Sunil Jayaratne on Sunday.
He told AFP news agency: “We are working to secure compensation from those responsible for getting the containers into the country.”
Customs officials withheld information regarding the type of hospital waste but previous illegally imported containers have included rags, bandages, and even body parts.
A further 242 containers sent from Britain are said to be holding illegal waste that is in violation of international law.
They arrived between 2017 and 2018 and remain abandoned both at the same port and at a free trade zone outside Colombo.
The government of Sri Lanka is currently engaged in legal action over the shipment as it seeks to remove the containers from the country.
An investigation in the country last year found nearly 3,000 tonnes of illegally imported waste into the country had been reshipped by the importer with 180 tonnes sent to Dubai and India in 2017 and 2018.
Asian countries regularly assert their rights not to be treated as the wealthy world’s waste dump and often turn back containers of waste back to foreign shores.
Earlier this year, the Malaysian government announced the repatriation of 3,737 tonnes of plastic waste during the third quarter of 2019.
The country’s Environment Minister Yeo Bee Yin told reporters: “If people want to see us as the rubbish dump of the world, you dream on.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments