Clean-up from Mannar to Kirinda has so far cost Rs 93.8 mn

Hazardous waste from X-Press Pearl

Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) Chairperson Dharshani Lahandapura said yesterday that Rs. 93.8 million (Rs. 93,857,293) had been spent so far on cleaning the beach from Mannar to Kirinda in Hambantota by removing the plastic and waste released from the ill-fated MV X-Press Pearl, which caught fire and sank in Sri Lankan waters.

Speaking at a meeting at the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing at Sethsiripaya, Battaramulla, Lahandapura said it would take several more years to remove the plastic and chemicals released from the burnt ship’s containers and completely clean the coastline.

She said that 1600 metric tonnes of plastic beads (nurdles) and chemicals released from the ship had been stored in warehouses acquired on rental basis in Pamunugama area and further steps would be taken regarding the waste based on legal advice.

The Singapore-registered MV X-Press Pearl container ship carrying a hazardous chemical cargo caught fire on 20 May 2021 while at anchorage 9.5 nm off Colombo Harbor due to a chemical leak in a container and burnt for 13 days before the fire was put out on 02 June. The ship along with its hazardous cargo sank afterwards.

Due to the damage to the ship, fishing from Panadura to Negombo (Ma Oya) was suspended and declared a no-go zone.