Sri Lanka has asked a ship that had docked at its Hambantota port to leave after it was found to be carrying radioactive cargo bound for China. Prior to docking, M.V. BBC Naples that was sailing under the flag of ‘Antigua & Barbados’ hadn’t disclosed that it was carrying uranium hexafluoride which is used to enrich nuclear fuel.
Authorities said legal action will be taken against Wilhelmsen Meridian Navigation Ltd, the local agent for the ship, for violating Sri Lanka’s Atomic Energy Act, as reported by ‘News 1st’. The ship that had set sail Port of Rotterdam had docked at the Hambantota port following a technical issue.
Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa raised the issue in Parliament, calling it a safety threat and demanding a probe.
