Stricken oil tanker has left SL waters, but marine death toll goes into dozens

By Ifham Nizam

The number of marine species found dead along the Sri Lankan coast possibly due to pollution had jumped to dozens, informed sources said, adding that the country had never witnessed such deaths before.

The majority of deaths witnessed were those of turtle species, an official of the Department of Wildlife yesterday said. They had received information about marine deaths and carcasses found in every nook and corner of the country’s coast.

The Green turtle (Chelonia mydas), Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and the Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) are among the most sighted species coming to local beaches and the death rate among the Olive Ridley turtles alone is more than 12 which is an alarming trend, the official points out.

The Department of Wildlife is waiting for a report from the National Zoological Gardens on the recent deaths to take action.

According to Marine Environment Protection Authority General Manager Dr. P. B. Terney Pradeep Kumara carcasses of four marine mammals have been washed ashore in Arugambay.

He said the carcasses had been handed over to the Department of Wildlife for further examination.

He said that from the results of the examination it could be determined whether the marine mammals had died due to the oil leak from MT New Diamond tanker.