News
X-Press Pearl wreck cannot be moved for three months – Officials
By Ifham Nizam
It would not be possible to tow away the wreck of MVX-Press Pearl until the end of the monsoon season, Environment Ministry Secretary, Dr. Anil Jasinghe said during a discussion under the theme, Looking beyond X-Press Pearl, at the Information Department yesterday in Colombo.
Dr. Jasinghe added that representatives of X-Press Feeders, the operators of the ill-fated ship, were monitoring the wreck through a caretaker company and 10 thematic groups were studying various aspects of the disaster.
“The sea is very rough and we can’t do anything now. We have to wait till things settle down a bit,” Dr. Jasinhe said. None of the officials were willing to reveal the estimated cost of the removal of the wreck.
The plastic pellets that were released with the sire n the ship were being detected on beaches in seven districts, Central Environmental Authority (CEA) Chairman S. Amarasinghe said. The entire coastal stretch from Matara to Mannar has been affected, he said.
“We are keeping the collected pellets for legal purposes and will destroy them later,” he said.
Commenting on the impact the disaster would have on tourism, Sri Jayawardanapura, Economics Department and Forestry and Environment Science, Professor Prasanthi Gunawardena said that losses would be incalculable.
Prof. Gunawardena added that the incident would have a significant impact on the fisheries industry and deprive many Sri Lankans of their main source of protein.
“Children need protein and most of our kids get their protein from fish. How do we calculate the impact this will on their health?
Marine Environment Protection Authority Chairperson, Darshani Lahandapura said that a grey sheen continued to emanate from the vessel, and discolouration of the sea in and around the wreck remains.
“This has been apparent since the vessel’s stern became submerged, and the remnants of the cargo in the 1486 containers that were onboard were exposed to seawater,” she said.
Prime Munister Dr Harini Amarasuriya returned to the island this (23rd) morning after attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland,
The Sri Lanka Navy successfully conducted a diving operation on 19 Jan 26 to inspect and restore the sluice gate of the Bomburuella Reservoir.
Acting on a request from the Department of Irrigation, the Sri Lanka Navy deployed a specialized diving team from the Western Naval Command, for the urgent requirement.
Through concerted effort, the Navy divers successfully cleared accumulated debris, including a significant quantity of wooden fragments, which had impeded the sluice gate mechanism.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya held a series of high-level bilateral meetings on Wednesday [January 21] on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, engaging with representatives of the European Union, the United Nations Development Programme, and the global private sector.
The Prime Minister met with Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management. During the meeting, she expressed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for the support extended by the European Union and its member states following Cyclone Ditwa. The Prime Minister also briefed the Commissioner on the key findings of the World Bank’s GRADE report and requested continued EU support for Sri Lanka’s development and recovery efforts.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Alexander De Croo, representing the United Nations Development Programme. She expressed appreciation for the longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and the United Nations and acknowledged the UN’s support in flood relief and livelihood assistance. The Prime Minister noted that, following the mandate received at the parliamentary election, the government is focused on meeting public expectations through national rebuilding grounded in public trust and good governance. She further reaffirmed the Government of Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening social protection systems and safeguarding vulnerable communities.
In addition, the Prime Minister met with Robert M. Uggla, Chairman of A.P. Moller Holding. The discussion focused on engagement with the private sector and potential areas of collaboration.
These meetings reflected Sri Lanka’s continued engagement with international partners and global stakeholders to support recovery, development, and long-term economic stability.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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