Foreign cargo ship anchored for past three years near Panadura:

Minister orders preventive measures

Disna MUDALIGE

Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa has informed the relevant authorities to take urgent measures to prevent possible marine environmental pollution from the foreign cargo ship carrying over 350 metric tons of furnace oil which remains anchored for the past three years off the coast of Panadura.

This foreign cargo ship is remaining pending the outcome of a case currently being heard in the Colombo Commercial High Court.

The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has been continuously educating the court since last November over a possible damage to marine life if the furnace oil in the cargo leaked to the sea.

MEPA Director General Rear Admiral (Retd.) S R Samaratunga pointed out that certain parts of the cargo ship have rusted posing an imminent danger to the marine environment if the cargo was not removed before the onset of the South West monsoon.

He said that the cargo ship is already on the verge of sinking.

He had investigated the condition of the cargo with the help of the Navy. When informed about this matter, the minister together with the MEPA made a request from the court once again to give a ruling over this matter.

Accordingly, the High Court had ordered last Wednesday that measures be taken to auction the cargo after storing the items in it.

As soon as the court order was issued, Minister Yapa had informed Ports and Highways Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Ports Authority Chairman Dr Priyath Bandu and Navy Commander Vice Admiral Somathilake Dissanayake over the phone about the danger posed by this cargo and had requested that urgent measures be taken in this regard.