The authorities had found faulty machinery on board the vessel and that some of the officer did not have the required qualifications.
They were also probing to see whether some of documents submitted by the vessel operator were forged.
The detention was made after port inspectors made an onboard visit under international maritime regulations to check the seaworthiness of the ship.
The shipping authorities routinely board and inspect vessels calling Colombo port to check the condition of the vessels. .