The Chairman of Sri Lanka Marine Protection Authority R.S. Ariyapperuma said that steps will be taken to sue the company which owns the ship that sank off Sri Lanka’s western coast causing an oil spill.
According to the official, the case is to be filed soon in the maritime court seeking damage from the owners of the ship.
Sri Lanka’s Central Environmental Authority, Marine Protection Authority and the Disaster Management Center were on full alert regarding the spread of oil. By yesterday, the oil slick was spreading towards the deep sea, sources said.
However, the local radio Hiru FM said the waters in the Negombo – Morawela region is contaminated with oil and black oil stains were visible on the beach.
The Cypress flagged 15,600-ton Bulk Carrier MV Thermopylae Sierra, which has been anchored since 2009 in the sea about 20 kilometers off Panadura coast due to a pending court case, sank completely Thursday after efforts to move the ship before the monsoon rains failed.
The 155-meter long and 127- meter wide ship manufactured in 1985 is believed to contain 20 to 30 tons more of petroleum oil.
Source: The Colombo Page
