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| Sunday, 5 October 2003 |
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Indo-Lanka ferry service "India is all set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Sri Lanka on a ferry service between the two countries", The Hindu quoted the Indian Union Minister for Shipping Shatrughan Sinha. The Minister said this, after he opened a new berth at the Tutticorin Port last Wednesday. The Indo-Lanka ferry service is a creative project and everything is ready from the Indian side but for some political clearance. "We are hopeful that things should clear up in a few weeks", he added. - SS Reprieve for Army deserters The pilot project to issue discharge certificates to Army deserters which was postponed will get underway in the Gampaha district from Oct 20. This move has been viewed as the first step to issue certificates to deserters all over the country, Army Headquarters announced. Soldiers who deserted the Army three years ago and those who deserted during the basic training period will be also eligible for discharge certificates, provided they have paid all outstanding dues to the Army and submit receipts. Canned fish controversy The controversial consignment of canned fish, ruled as 'unfit for human consumption' by the Sri Lanka Standard Institute (SLSI) may end up in the garbage as 'expired stuff', long before the 'quality' issue is resolved.The consignment estimated to cost Rs. 3 million, was shipped from Thailand more than six months ago for retailing by the CWE. But SLSI refusal to approve the release of the consignment, has stirred up a major controversy, especially as the expiry date is drawing to a close, and the exporter may be forced to discard the shipment. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, which earlier relaxed the one country stipulation with adjustments to the weight and water composition, to enable the import of canned fish from various sources at a competitive price, has been crying foul, accusing the SLSI of deliberately creating an undue delay. But Director General SLSI, B.S.P. Mendis maintained that the consignment had failed to meet SLSI standards and were hence unfit for consumption. He emphasised that the refusal of release the consignment has nothing to do with the adjustments made by the Commerce and Consumer Affairs Ministry recently on weight and water composition of canned fish. |
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