China, Sri Lanka caught in a ‘doormat’ issue

Colombo, Mar 13 (efe-epa).- The sale of Chinese-produced non-slip doormats depicting the Sri Lanka national flag has caused a diplomatic stir.

The incident prompted the Sri Lankan embassy in Beijing to raise the issue with the Chinese ministry of foreign affairs. It urged officials to take action to prevent the production of doormats and similar products using the image of the Sri Lankan flag.

“The company which marketed the product on Amazon was requested by letter from the Embassy to immediately cease selling the door mats and any such products, misusing the Sri Lanka flag,” the embassy said in a statement Saturday. “The advertisement has been removed from Amazon.”

It also said that the matter was being closely monitored and ‘“appropriate action” will be taken via Chinese authorities to stop the production and sale of the product.

The Sri Lankan embassy in Washington D.C has also been instructed to follow up on the matter with Amazon, the Sri Lankan foreign ministry said in a separate statement Friday.

In a tweet, the Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka said that similar products are sold by sellers from all over the world on Amazon.

“National Flags must be fully respected. Concern has been conveyed for investigation,” it said.

“China has been supporting Sri Lanka for its peace, prosperity and dignity for decades.”EFE-EPA

ap/jot