The Environment Ministry will pay special attention to the debris being washed ashore following the MV X-Press Pearl container ship fire off the Colombo coast.
Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said fishermen especially along the coastal areas of Negombo, Ja-Ela, Wattala have been requested to refrain from collecting the debris being washed ashore.
It is reported that the Environmental Ministry has also taken steps to clear the debris in the affected areas with the assistance of the relevant organisations.
Minister Amarawewera has directed authorities to destroy the debris being washed ashore without causing any harm to the environment.
“If not, the ship debris could cause severe health hazards to humans, animals and to the fauna and flora,” he said.
The Minister said the Fisheries Department has already warned the fishing community in these areas to refrain from fishing until a clear assurance is given by the Environmental Ministry, the Maritime Pollution Prevention Authority and National Aquatic and Research Authority (NARA).
He said the destroyed containers were packed with chemicals such as nitric acid, cosmetics, alcohol and burnt fuel and the polluted water in the sea could cause a threat to humans and ocean organisms.
According to authorities the debris of the ship wreckage has spread over a wide area in the sea.
Meanwhile, the NARA and the Maritime Environment Authority has also warned people to refrain from collecting any material since a study has revealed that chemical substances have already mixed with the sea water.
