Microplastic pellets wash up on Lankan shores

Microplastic pellets and other marine debris have begun washing ashore along the northern coastlines of Sri Lanka, raising environmental concerns.

These pellets have been washed up in areas including Delft Island, Jaffna, Nainativu, and Mannar. Minor trances have also been found along the Kilinochchi and Chilaw coastlines.

“Yesterday, we observed plastic pellets from the sunken vessel washing ashore along the Delft and Jaffna coastlines,” said R.H.M.V. Abeykoon, Acting Chairman of MEPA. “With strong winds and rough seas expected in the coming days, ocean currents may carry more of these pellets to our shores,” he said.

On May 28, international organizations warned of the potential for debris to reach Sri Lanka’s coastline. This risk was further confirmed by the Indian Coast Guard on May 30.

MEPA has activated an emergency hotline (1949) for the public to report any sightings of marine debris along the coast.

According to the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), the debris is believed to have originated from the MSC ELSA 03, a Liberia-flagged cargo vessel that sank off the coast of Kerala, India, on May 25.

At the time of the incident, the vessel was carrying 643 containers, including 13 classified as dangerous goods and according to the General Manager of MEPA – Jagath Gunasekara, “12 of those containers held calcium carbide, a chemical that can release toxic gases when it reacts with seawater… Additionally, around 60 containers were filled with plastic pellets.”

Gunesekara has further added that any chemical substances would be significantly diluted before reaching our shores,since the incident occurred about 300 nautical miles from Sri Lanka. “There is no health risk, and no fishing bans or restrictions are necessary in Sri Lankan waters,” he has added.

He has further said that they are expanding operations to clean up affected coastal areas, prioritizing to remove plastic pellets in the shorelines.