News
X-Press Pearl disaster: More 70 turtles, sea birds, dolphins and juvenile Blue Whale found dead so far

By Ifham Nizam
More than 70 turtles have died so far due to burning and chemical poisoning following the blaze aboard Singapore flagged merchant X-Press Pearl, experts confirmed.
However, they said further studies are continuing with the number of deaths of turtles due to the disaster expected to exceed 200.
The Department of Wildlife said they had received information of more than 70 turtles, many sea birds, eight dolphins and a juvenile Blue Whale found dead.
“We have never seen such a large number of sea reptiles perishing within weeks”, an official said, while adding that a mixture of dangerous compounds seeping into the ocean could have caused the deaths.
Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) Chairman Darshani Lahandapura said there was no bunker oil spill so far from the stricken vessel which is laden with 300MT of oil.
She said three experts from the United Nations are here to assess the damage caused.
Environment Ministry Secretary, Dr. Anil Jasinghe said that it depressing to witness the deaths of turtles countrywide.
Speaking at a discussion on `Looking Beyond X-Press Pearl’ at the Information Department in Colombo, he said Sri Lanka should forward compensation claims by further studying similar incidents in Hong Kong and Norway.
He also said that the danger to the coral, sea beds and mangroves should also be studied at length.
The Environment Department’s Publicity Director, Hasini Sarathchandra said that there is a grave impact due to the pollution killing all five species of turtles found in Sri Lanka – Green Turtle, Olive Ridley Turtle and Leatherback Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle and Hawlesbill Turtle.
“This is the first time we are experiencing such deaths in large numbers. We fear it is will be far worse,” she added.
However, she said that a sub committee would decide on the compensation.
Samples of the dead animals were sent to the Government Analyst, University of Peradeniya Veterinary Faculty, National Aquatic and Resources Agency (NARA) and the Zoological Gardens in Dehiwela.
She said due to the earlier ship incident, only Olive Ridley Turtles were affected and 20 deaths reported.
The Environment Department believes that the number may be higher going by the species found dead within a short period.
All turtles and their products are fully protected under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance. Anyone found guilty of committing an offense is liable to a jail term and a fine.
Under International Law also, sea turtles are protected. Sri Lanka has banned international trade in sea turtle products.
The cause of deaths of the marine creatures could be determined soon, said Government Analyst Gauri Ramana.
Investigations were also launched to determine the impact of the ship disaster on the seawater as well as its chemical composition.
Latest News
Accepting deposits for Local Authorities Election concludes

Accepting deposits from political parties and independent groups who intend to contest the forthcoming Local Authorities Election ended at 12noon today [19].
Deposits were accepted at respective District Secretariats from 3rd March 2025.
The Elections Commission has announced that the deadline for the accepting of nominations for the LA poll is set to conclude at 12:00 noon tomorrow (20).
Latest News
Former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon has appeared before the Matara Magistrate’s Court

It has been reported that the former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon has appeared before the Matara Magistrate’s Court this morning (19),
The former IGP had been evading arrest after the Matara Magistrate’s court had ordered his arrest regarding a shooting incident that took place in front of the W15 Hotel Pelena, Weligama, Matara, in 2023.
News
Ex-Minister ordered to pay loan interest in arrears for 24 yrs

The government has begun recovering funds obtained by former Lands and Land Development, Environment and Wildlife Resources Minister SM Chandrasena for the Janatha Lanka Chilli Marketing Limited (JLCML), which he headed, Parliament was informed yesterday.
Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation Minister Namal Karunaratne said that as the Chairman of JLCML, Chandrasena had obtained a loan of Rs. 1,275,000 from the Mihintale Govijana Seva Bank in 2001.
The principal of the loan had not been repaid until the end of last year. “After we came to power, we demanded that the loan be settled. Then, we discovered that the interest on the loan had not been paid for the past 24 years, and attempts had been made to have the loan written off. We stopped that and are now in the process of recovering the interest of Rs. 1,975,233 on the loan,” Karunaratne said.
Karunaratne added that JLCML was registered as a company with the Registrar of Companies on March 21, 2001. As Chairman of the company, Chandrasena requested a loan of Rs. 10 million on April 19, 2001, for the purpose of purchasing chillies from farmers in 12 farmer colonies in the Mihintale Agrarian Service area.
The request was approved by the Mihintale Agrarian Service Committee on the same day and referred to the Anuradhapura District Agrarian Operations Committee, which approved it on April 23, 2001. However, the Agriculture Development Commissioner General recommended that a loan of Rs. 1.2 million would suffice for this purpose. JLCML took the loan and failed to repay it until the end of last year. When the matter was raised, the principal was paid, and we are now in the process of recovering the interest that was not paid for the past 24 years,” Karunaratne added.
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