News
No danger posed by ship carrying Uranium – MEPA
By Ifham Nizam
A team of scientists from the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) who yesterday visited the MV BBC Naples, which was carrying Uranium Hexafluoride and docked at the Hambantota Harbour, said that the cargo was secure and posed no danger.
Earlier, State Ministry of Solar Power, Wind & Hydro Power Generation Projects Development earlier said that legal action would be taken against Wilhelmsen Meridian Navigation Ltd, the local agent for M.V. BBC Naples for violating the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Act, No. 40 OF 2014. However, it is understood they will have to reverse their decision based on MEPA findings yesterday.
MEPA General Manager, Dr. Terney Pradeep Kumara told The Island that the vessel docked because of a technical difficulty and had obtained the assistance of the engineers.
“Everything is under control and the ship is now sailing towards China,” he added.
He said the MV BBC Naples was anchored six nautical miles away from the Hambantota International Port, and engineers attended to the technical issue.
Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council said the vessel was transporting uranium for use in nuclear power plants.
M.V. BBC Naples was sailing under the flag of “Antigua & Barbados.” Sri Lanka Navy and Customs confirmed cargo wasn’t unloaded to the Hambantota Port.
Chandula Rambukwella, the Senior Manager- Commercial & Marketing for Hambantota International Port Group Pvt Ltd. told media the M.V. BBC had entered the port of Hambantota on April 20, at 2100 hrs, en route from Rotterdam to China.
The ship had made an emergency call at the port for some urgent repairs, Rambukwella said.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
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