News
How Sri Lanka managed to tackle oil slick from stricken supertanker
International salvage experts boarding the fire-stricken oil tanker, New Diamond, in the Indian Ocean off Sri Lanka’s eastern coast.(Photo: Sri Lanka Navy)
The Sri Lanka Air Force airdropped dispersal-chemicals on the surface oil slick, created by the stricken oil tanker that caught on fire recently, to break down oil into smaller droplets that readily mix with water. It minimises the detrimental impact on the marine environment. Boats had been dispatched to the area to divide the oil slick into manageable portions, Marine Environment Protection Authority’s (MEPA) Dr. Terney Pradeep Kumara said.
Kumara added that the oil slick was currently spread in a two nautical mile area, close to the damaged Super Tanker and slick could still pose a threat to Sri Lanka’s marine environment, especially fish species, sea mammals and o crustaceans.
Kumara said that in addition to Rs. 340 million sought by the Sri Lankan government for operations undertaken by its Air Force and Navy to prevent a far greater marine catastrophe, the country would seek Rs. 4 billion for the damages caused to its marine environment.
The MT New Diamond super tanker was transporting 270,000 MT of crude oil from the port of Meena Al Ahmadi in Kuwait to the Port of Paradip in India when a fire broke out in its engine room, killing a crew member and causing serious burn injuries to its engineer in the eastern seas of Sri Lanka on September 3, 2020.
The ship was sailing 38 nautical miles off Sangamankanda Point, Ampara when it caught fire with an explosion in a boiler in the ship’s main engine room.
The distressed oil tanker in eastern seas was manned by 23 crew members comprising five Greeks and 18 Philippine nationals.
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported yesterday that 211 people had gone missing following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
The disaster has left 639 individuals dead, and 84,674 people from 26,563 families are sheltered in 866 safety centres across the country.
The DMC also confirmed extensive damage to houses. It said about 5,588 had been destroyed and 102,246 others damaged.
Authorities continue to coordinate relief efforts as they assess the full scale of the destruction and work to provide shelter and aid to thousands of displaced persons.
by Chaminda Silva
The government has decided to convene Parliament on 18 December to secure legislative approval for emergency funding for disaster relief.
The special session has been called to allocate funds for relief efforts for those affected by Cyclone Ditwah and for repairs to infrastructure and property damaged by the severe weather.
Officials said the government would submit a supplementary estimate seeking parliamentary approval for the required funds.
A debate will be conducted before the estimate is endorsed by the House.
Parliament adjourned until 06 January, 2026, following the passage of Budget 2026.
by Akitha Perera
The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has urged the public to avoid non-essential travel this weekend. It has done so in response to numerous phone inquiries from people planning leisure trips.
Red alerts remain in effect for 33 Divisional Secretariat areas across four districts due to landslides, following heavy rainfall exceeding 75 mm in recent days in the Badulla and Kandy districts.
“Landslides were reported on Thursday (11) in Meegahakivula and Demodara,” said Dr. Vasantha Senadeera, Senior Geologist at NBRO.
“The public should remain vigilant, monitor weather forecasts closely, and follow Stage 2 warnings carefully.”
Stage 1 alerts remain active for 17 divisions across three districts, while Level 3 warnings and red alerts cover Kandy, Kurunegala, and Matale districts. Level 2 warnings apply to Badulla, Kegalle, Kurunegala (Polgahawela and Alawwa), Nuwara Eliya, and Ratnapura, while Level 1 warnings and yellow alerts advise caution in certain areas of Gampaha, Kurunegala, and Ratnapura.
Dr. Senadeera emphasized that, given the ongoing disaster situation, people should reconsider weekend trips and stay indoors wherever possible. “We have received several calls asking whether it is safe to travel,” he said. “The answer is to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary movement in high-risk areas.”
by Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon and Sujeewa Thathsara
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