News
Inferno aboard container ship increasing local air pollution
By Ifham Nizam
Air samples had revealed that air pollution level is high due to the fumes from the fire aboard the MV X-Press Pearl in the seas off the Colombo Harbour, a senior marine scientist said.
Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) General Manager Dr. Terney Pradeep Kumara told The Island yesterday that their priority was to save the ship and prevent pollution.
Dr. Kumara said that air and water samples were being collected regularly to monitor pollution levels. The National Aquatic Resources Agency (NARA) will shortly commence investigations into the biodiversity aspect.
Discussions were underway with the foreign experts, insurance agents and the local agent of the ship ‘X-PRESS PEARL’, registered under the Singapore flag, Dr. Kumara said, adding things were under control.
The vessel carrying 1,486 containers, including 25 tonnes of nitric acid, several other chemicals and cosmetics was in anchorage when a fire erupted in a container stacked on its deck last Friday.
The vessel that left port of Hazira, India, on May 15 was on her way to Singapore via Colombo.
The National Building Research Organisation has also launched an investigation on air pollution as a result of the fumes from the inferno aboard the MV X-Press Pearl in the seas off the Colombo Harbour.
Experts from the Netherlands and Belgium have boarded the vessel to survey the onboard situation at first hand.
“A special Dutch flight with vital equipment to contain the fire is now expected to reach Sri Lanka,” said Ports and Shipping Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena.
A special team comprising officials from the Sri Lanka Navy, Ports Authority, and Marine Environment Protection Authority reached the location of the fire-hit container ship last Friday (May 21) and have been monitoring the situation since then.
Three tugs from the SLPA were employed to reduce the heat in the surrounding containers to prevent the spread of the fire and possible explosions.
Naval ship Sindurala and a fast attack craft were deployed to assist the ongoing firefighting efforts.
The distressed container ship has been manned by a crew of 25, who are Filipino, Chinese, Indian, and Russian nationals.
The High Court has convicted 14 of the 24 men accused of being directly involved in the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed 279 people.
The three-judge bench read out its decision on Tuesday after a five-year trial and said sentencing would take place later, the AFP news agency reported.
The charges included murder and conspiracy to commit terrorism.
Nine others were acquitted, while another defendant was found guilty of only some of the charges, the court said.
[Aljazeera]
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The ruling NPP yesterday (21) dismissed claims of a widening rift, within the government, over the proposed 22nd Amendment. Asked whether the NPP was concerned over a section of the Opposition alleging Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and two dozen MPs taking a view contrary to that of the party in this regard, authoritative party sources said some persons were propagating speculation for their own interest.
Declaring that there was absolutely no issue regarding the controversial Amendment, sources emphasised once it was tabled in Parliament, it would be passed with 2/3 majority.
Sources dismissed claims that out of its 159-member parliamentary group a section of NPPers was opposed to the government move. According to an influential Opposition activist, there are 57 JVPers and 66 NPPers in the government group and the rest contested the last parliamentary polls, having aligned with the JVP.
Ministerial sources told The Island that the government was confident of going ahead with the 22nd Amendment and Judicature (Amendment) Bills. Sources said that the NPP was not bothered about the Opposition protests in and outside Parliament.
Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne is expected to disclose the confidential ruling that he received from the Supreme Court in respect of more than 65 petitions for and against the 22nd Amendment and Judicial Amendment Bills. The enactment of the 22nd Amendment would pave the way for extending the retirement age of Supreme Court judges, from 65 to 67 years, and Court of Appeal judges, from 63 to 65 years.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Court of Appeal Judge Mayadunna Sri Mevan Anthony Edirimannasuriya Corea as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal.
The appointment has been made as President’s Counsel Nalin Rohantha Abeysuriya, who currently serves as President of the Court of Appeal, will be overseas until the 24th.
Accordingly Justice Mayadunna Corea was sworn in as Acting President of the Court of Appeal before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential secretariat last morning (21).
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake was also present at the occasion.
High Court convicts 14 over deadly Easter bombings
Mandhana, Shafali and Ghosh lead dominant India to Asian Games gold
Fatima Sana and Umm-e-Hani secure bronze for Pakistan in Asian Games
India bat first in Asian games womens cricket final
Showers about 100mm will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara Districts
Govt. confident of 2/3 majority despite NPP split speculation
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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