Major clean-up operations into the oil spill reported between Mt.Lavinia and Wellawatte along the Western coast have been completed and the public is free to use the beach area, Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) General Manager, Dr. P. B. Teney Pradeep Kumara said.
He said the Sri Lanka Coast Guard is still checking the recent ship movements in this area to locate the ship responsible for this oil release to the sea.
“The substance of the oil spill is similar to the oil released from the ships after a tank washing. The slick could either be an accident or deliberately released. However, we can fine the offenders from between Rs.four to Rs. 14 million,” he added. “MEPA also had lodged a complaint with the Mt. Lavinia Police in this regard and collected a sample of oil that had leaked to the sea,” he said.
The Sri Lanka Coast Guard, the Sri Lanka Navy and the Disaster Management Centre had supported MEPA with the clean-up operations.
Add new comment