MEPA empowered to take action on marine pollution

Disna MUDALIGE

The new amendments made to the Marine Pollution Prevention Act have empowered the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) to take action in case of marine pollution by projects which explore or exploit natural resources including petroleum, Authority chairman R S Ariyapperuma told the Daily News yesterday.

He said that according to the new regulations approved by Parliament last week,obtaining a Marine Environment Protection license from the Authority is necessary for exploration for or exploitation of natural resources including petroleum within the territorial waters of Sri Lanka.

He observed that the Cairn Lanka Pvt Limited has been issued a license for oil exploration in one block since necessary requirements have been satisfied by the applicant. The license is valid for a period of two years from the date of issuance. He noted that the applicants for the license should submit a detailed account of the steps to be taken to mitigate, control or manage the discharge of any pollutant in accordance with a Discharge Management Plan and an Environment Impact Assessment.

The Discharge Management Plan should include a plan for environment monitoring and prevention of an oil spill. It should have a plan for storage, transportation, cleaning, refining and locating oil extracts and the procedure for rehabilitation of the area after the completion of the project.

He said that legal action could be taken against the violators of the regulations of the Act and could be fined.