Only obstacle for distribution of the cargo sent for the Tamil IDP's was the 6.5 million port demurrage..!!!

Cargo bound for IDP’s cleared but with a heavy price

By Gandhya Senanayake...........dailymirror.lk


The cargo, originally from the ship Captain Ali, which was meant for the IDP’s that was to be cleared several weeks back has finally being cleared by the relevant government agencies, but with a heavy price attached to it, the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society said.



Mr. Surein Peiris, Deputy Director General of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) told Daily Mirror Online that the only obstacle for distribution of the cargo sent for the IDP's was the 6.5 million port demurrage, which is paid when a freight car or cargo is detained beyond its scheduled time of departure and the 1.8 million fright charges, which has to be paid as well.


He stated that a request to waiver the demurrage charge was sent to the government officials as soon as the clearance was obtained, while the SLRCS has requested the relevant parties to reconsider the high fright charge of 1.8 million.


Further he stated that he was optimistic that in the coming days all matter regarding the 27 containers will be sorted out and that during the coming week the cargo will reach its intended recipients.

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Comments

Perfect ,It is reasonable for port autority to claim such a money. There are Red cross / cresecent officers dine in Five star Hotel on the charity they collected.

Posted By: dxb

It was held there not only deny these to IDPs but also charge millions for their sake... oh My 'SHRI'Lanka...

Posted By: Lankan

So keen on duty, then what about the shipments coming for the smugglers??? You never going to feed IDPs at least let other do that. Dear dxb dont proud of dumb decisions.

Posted By: Nas

That aid is not for the Redcross people why GOSL cant give a exemption if they really care about the IDPS..

Posted By: Janakan

Mm.. Average people who has really heart & human sense can think off that how far these IPDs are kept from SL citizens level. Will Tamils'be treated with equal right in next 20 / 30 years time? As a Tamil, if these goods were allowed at the time caption Ali caught, half of the tamils might have accepted, they get peace in this country soon, Now..... still it is dream for all...

Posted By: Tamil

@dxb, we as sri lankans need to get off our high horse and accept help anyway we can get it. Gas prices are going up again next week, cost of living is up but we all wanna pretend like we are a developed country and ask the west to get lost? If this is how we are going to play it, then i guess we deserve to starve in hunger as a people. Oh wait, we already had to - that was during the 1970's - but we are a forgetful people.

Posted By: MJ


dxb, this shipment is for IDPs not for the redcross...

Posted By: ishan

I fully agree with dxb, Red cross collects 60% of any charity as their administrative cost only 40% is used, so they dine and party with money donated. Give a dam, collect what they owe to port its money that is due to SL govt.

Posted By: Frank

Well, duty free luxury vehicles for our fat belly cabinet and MPs. But when goods are donated to poor IDPs, they are held at port for months and now high duty. What a just & fair system we have. keep it up good for Sri Lanka!!!! And pathetic situation is like dxb supporting it. He's got very poor thinking...

Posted By: kamlesh

This is unacceptable, I'm lost for words as to why it took so long to clear. This is for the displaced citizens in the North and East and not for the Red Cross. dxb's comment is pathetic, and shows ignorance and lack of empathy for the people living in camps. I'm ashamed that some people think in this manner. I agree with MJ, well said. The govenment should not have charged port demurrage on humanitarian grounds. Its common sense!

Posted By: Gullible Voter

Irrespective of the cargo reaching the IDPS or not, it clearly demonstrate the efficiency of our public service. As per the information, the cargo had to obtain many Clarence certificates from several Government entities & this was the delay. This is the efficiency of the 1.1million public sector employees. No wonder the treasury needs to dole out money to pay the salaries of the state sector every month. Mr. President over to you sir, for your comments….……..

Posted By: james

If some people give aid to the IDPs and go to the trouble and expense of sending it to this country, it should be accepted with gratitude and expedited to the people who need it without any delay, once it has been inspected.

Posted By: Shabab

I am sick and tired of this banana republic island. The government of this banana republic must come to its senses and they should be looking beyond bananas.

Posted By: bandara

Dear DXB,It is easy to comment when you live in the sheikdom.Whereas our own bretren suffering in the IDP camps..Is it possible to think of spending a week similar to condition of IDP..The day DXB kicks out you will realize...

Posted By: Milton Silva

The government went all out to frustrate the process of thes goods reaching the IDP' because they came from a source that the government (includes their cohorts) frowned upon. The government's actions post war have shown the people of this country the total disregard and ingenuity for the welfare of the IDP's. They continue to manage the issue for their political expediency.

Posted By: Oberver

Frank - What a idiotic comment. This shipment is not for the Red Cross, but for Sri Lankan citizens termed IDP's. The Red cross has operating budgets, they do not take anything from gifts of humanitarian goods to refugees. You have no idea how the International Red Cross Operates world wide. Its a shame that the GOSL enforces demurrage and other charges on gifts to their own refugees. Educate yourself before you make stupid comments.

Posted By: Faqi

courtesy...dailymirror.lk