COLOMBO, 13 March, 2021 (TON): Taking urgent notice of the Chinese-made doormats featuring Sri Lankan flag sold via online retail giant Amazon, the Sri-Lankan foreign ministry calls for an inquiry into the sale of the doormats.

This issue has been taken up with the Chinese embassy in Colombo, and also asked Colombo's mission in Beijing to track down the manufacturer.

The ministry has also instructed the Sri Lankan embassy in Washington to follow up on the matter with Amazon on Friday.

Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage has informed the Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing to contact the manufacturer concerned in China and also has brought to the attention of the Chinese Embassy in Colombo, the advertising of Sri Lanka's national flag as a doormat.

China has assured that it supports Sri Lanka and that an enquiry has been initiated into the matter.

However, this move by the Chinese manufacturers has kicked up a major diplomatic storm over the internet calling it the way China looks at Sri Lanka now and in future, when the country would not be able to pay the loan, many said.