Can’t issue SLS to imported cement; ‘artificially created shortage’
August 9, 2011 11:34 am
Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) says it cannot issue the Certificate of Standards required to release the imported stock of cement bags from the Colombo Port.
The cement has been imported from a company, which the Sri Lanka Standards Institution has temporarily suspended from providing SLS certificate, Director General of SLSI, Dr. L.N. Seneweera told Ada Derana.
The consignment of 100,000 cement bags, 50kg each, had been imported by the National Cooperative Council of Sri Lanka.
According to the Chairman of the Council, Bandu Ranawaka the company in question manufactures 14,000 metric tons of cement per day and exports cement to around 20 countries.
If a company such as that does not have standards then no country in the world would purchase cement from them, he pointed out and challenged the SLSI to test the standards of the cement before the National Cooperative Council and if possible to prove they are unsuitable.
As a Cooperative Council we have no need to release substandard cement to the market, he stressed. “These actions are being followed with the aim of artificially creating a cement shortage.” Mr. Ranawaka accused.
However, the Director General of Sri Lanka Standards Institution said that the valid permit previously provided to the company had been temporarily suspended following continues tests conducted on quality.
The company was informed of this and notified to take necessary steps in this regard, Dr. L.N. Seneweera stated.
He pointed out that the prevailing problematic situation had risen due to the consignment of cement being imported while the invalidity was still in effect. “Products cannot be released irresponsibly just because there is a shortage.”
The cement has been imported from a company, which the Sri Lanka Standards Institution has temporarily suspended from providing SLS certificate, Director General of SLSI, Dr. L.N. Seneweera told Ada Derana.
The consignment of 100,000 cement bags, 50kg each, had been imported by the National Cooperative Council of Sri Lanka.
According to the Chairman of the Council, Bandu Ranawaka the company in question manufactures 14,000 metric tons of cement per day and exports cement to around 20 countries.
If a company such as that does not have standards then no country in the world would purchase cement from them, he pointed out and challenged the SLSI to test the standards of the cement before the National Cooperative Council and if possible to prove they are unsuitable.
As a Cooperative Council we have no need to release substandard cement to the market, he stressed. “These actions are being followed with the aim of artificially creating a cement shortage.” Mr. Ranawaka accused.
However, the Director General of Sri Lanka Standards Institution said that the valid permit previously provided to the company had been temporarily suspended following continues tests conducted on quality.
The company was informed of this and notified to take necessary steps in this regard, Dr. L.N. Seneweera stated.
He pointed out that the prevailing problematic situation had risen due to the consignment of cement being imported while the invalidity was still in effect. “Products cannot be released irresponsibly just because there is a shortage.”