Sri Lanka has shipped back to Britain container-loads of waste the government said was brought to the island in violation of international laws governing the shipping of hazardous material.
The 21 containers – holding up to 260 tonnes of rubbish – first arrived by ship in the capital Colombo’s main port between September 2017 and March 2018, customs officials told AFP news agency, adding that they departed Sri Lanka on Saturday.
The container’s contents were supposed to comprise used mattresses, carpeting and rugs, but had also contained hospital waste, officials said.
“The shipper had agreed to take back these 21 containers,” customs spokesman Sunil Jayaratne told AFP on Sunday. “We are working to secure compensation from those responsible for getting the containers into the country.” (Al-Jazeera)