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Fire aboard MV X-Press Pearl doused: NARA teams probe coastal environmental damage

30 May 2021

  • Scientists, AG’s Dept comm. involved  

  • Debris samples collected from several coastlines 

  • Plastic pellets pose major threat: NARA DG  

  • Navy commences beach clean-up  

  • Authorities monitoring potential oil spill  

By Yumiko Perera  Multiple groups of scientists have been deployed by the Director General of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) to investigate the environmental damage caused by the debris that has washed up ashore after the fire onboard the MV X-Press Pearl ship had caused containers it carried to fall into the ocean.   Speaking with The Sunday Morning, NARA Director General Dr. Palitha Kithsiri said: “I have assigned three groups which include a team of scientists to investigate and prepare a report. There is also an expert committee appointed by the Attorney General’s Department. We are working together to minimise the impact this may leave behind.”   According to Dr. Kithsiri, the NARA’s Fisheries Research and Development Team has been given the task of investigating the biological damage to the environment.   “At present, we are working towards gathering samples of the debris and collecting more information on the possible environmental impact this may leave behind. We have collected samples from coasts stretching all the way from Colombo to Chilaw, and from Panadura up to Hikkaduwa.”  As explained by Dr. Kithsiri, the tiny plastic particles that have washed up ashore pose a significant threat to the environment. “The major problem right now is that the plastic pellets that have washed up ashore do not disintegrate or decay for a significant period.”   In this regard, he noted that the Navy has already commenced the cleaning of the beaches where debris has washed up.   Additionally, he claimed that there is not much harm caused due to the acid content, as the seawater has a very good buffering capacity which would therefore dilute the nitric acid.   Also, the fire on the ship has been extinguished after a huge effort, Dr. Kithsiri said.   Stating that the main concern of the authorities, as of now, is whether there would be an oil spillage, Dr. Kithsiri noted however that “there isn’t a threat of an oil spill as of now”.   Explaining further, he added: “If we can control any explosion from occurring in the oil tank, everything should be fine. At present, the only issue is the plastic pollution and the debris that has washed up onshore.” Dr. Kithsiri added further that the authorities are keeping a watchful eye on the situation, and that the ship is being closely monitored for a possible oil spill.   The MV X-Press Pearl vessel came to Sri Lankan waters on 20 May, which was when a fire had been reported onboard the ship. The condition had worsened on 25 May due to an explosion that had caused multiple containers to go overboard, in turn causing a massive amount of debris to wash up on the shorelines of Sri Lanka.   Attempts by The Sunday Morning to contact the General Manager of the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) Dr. Terney Pradeep Kumara for more insight, proved futile.   


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