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26 ships polluted Sri Lankan waters

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The Maritime Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has reported that 26 ships polluted Sri Lankan waters in the past year, based on data from a satellite monitoring project conducted in collaboration with the French government.

The project, aimed at monitoring maritime pollution, uses advanced satellite technology to track and analyze incidents of marine contamination.

Two major shipwrecks—the New Diamond and X-Press Pearl—stand out in recent history as causes of significant environmental damage to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystem. The New Diamond caught fire and sank 38 nautical miles off Sri Lanka’s east coast in September 2020, while the X-Press Pearl, a Singapore-registered vessel, sank near Colombo Port after catching fire in May 2021. Both incidents caused severe and long-lasting harm to marine life and coastal areas.

In response to these environmental disasters, MEPA, with support from a French company, launched a pilot project to assess fuel spills in Sri Lankan waters using satellite technology. The findings from this initiative confirmed that 26 ships entering Sri Lankan waters over the past year have contributed to ocean pollution.

Commenting further regarding the matter, Project Manager Oliver Germane said: “When we presented these report to all the stakeholders, they were surprised by the results because probably did not expect to see so many pollutions in the national waters. In total 115 pollutions have taken place in 12 months, which means that on a rate, each time we are acquiring an image, we have more than 50% chance to see a pollution in this image.”

“Also the estimation of the volume of pollution was taken… total volume of pollutants was more than 6 million litres of pollutants released to the Sri Lankan waters. So, on a range, every month, 500,000 litres of pollutants have been released in to the waters.”

“The amount of pollutants which was released by the incidents of the X-Press Pearl in 2021 was 350,000 litres. This means that on a rate we have an equivalent volume of pollutants the X-Press Pearl released to Sri Lankan waters every month,” he added.

Furthermore, Mr. Germane stated: “We were also able to identify the potential polluters in some cases. For this project, we were able to do so in 26 cases. So, points to them, to take possible actions.”

(adaderana.lk)

(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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Nishantha Wickremesinghe remanded (Update)

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Former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines Nishantha Wickremesinghe has been  remanded until July 01.

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(Previous News : June 27, 2025 4.41pm)

2 ex-heads of govt. institutions, arrested

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has arrested two former Chairmen on corruption charges.

Former Chairman of the Fisheries Corporation – Upali Liyanage and former SriLankan Airlines Chairman – Nishantha Wickremesinghe have been arrested in this manner.

However, Liyanage, who was produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga, was released on three sureties amounting to Rs. 5 million.

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Body of undergrad who went missing at Port City beach, found (Update)

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The body of the undergraduate who had gone missing at the Port City beach, has been found.

The body was found during a search by divers.


(Previous News on 27th June 2025 at 10.06 am)

Undergrad goes missing at Port City beach while snorkeling

A 24-year-old university student from Asgiriya, Gampaha, has gone missing yesterday morning (June 26) while swimming in the sea off the Colombo Port City beach.

According to the police, the student, a resident of Gampaha, was part of a group of students from the Universities of Colombo and Moratuwa who had visited the artificial beach and engaged in snorkelling.

The student failed to resurface, prompting a complaint to the Colombo Port Police.

Lifeguards later recovered the snorkeling gear believed to be belonging to the missing student.

A joint search operation involving Navy divers from the Colombo Port and Rangala Navy Division is currently underway. Further investigations are underway by the Colombo Port Police.

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Missing NPP members of Weligama PS, resurface (Update)

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The 2 NPP members of the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha, who had gone missing earlier today (June 27), have been found at the Unawatuna beach in Galle.

According to police, they are unharmed.


(Previous News on 27th June 2025 at 12:15 pm)

2 NPP members at Weligama PS go missing (Video)

Tensions erupted at the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha today (June 27) after 02 National Peoples’ Power (NPP) members were reportedly abducted.

The incident had occurred just before a scheduled vote to elect a new chairman.

The members, who were en route to attend the session, have reportedly gone missing, prompting the suspension of proceedings.

It has been proposed to proceed the council session if the missing members arrive.

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