The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) of Sri Lanka in its continuing effort to save Sri Lanka’s pristine coastline from the MV X-Press Pearl incident has collected over 1,000 tons of debris from the ongoing beach cleanup supported by Sri Lanka’s tri-forces.
The cleanup operation coordinated by the Marine Environmental Protection Authority, stretching close to 200 kilometers of Sri Lanka’s North Western to South coastline, has cleaned up over 1,000 tons of debris securely stored in 44 containers, including plastic nurdles stored in a hazardous waste facility.
On the instructions of Dr. Nalaka Godahewa MP, State Minister Urban Development, Cost Conservation, Waste Disposal and Community Cleanliness, the Chairperson of MEPA, Attorney-at-law Dharshani Lahandapura said, “a detailed three stage approach which includes an accelerated clean-up, environmentally responsible disposal and lastly restoration as well as claims and damages is being formulated by the relevant government authorities. Elaborating further she detailed that a team of local and foreign experts and officials are conducting assessments of the heavily impacted areas and taken into advice for future course of action.”
The Chairperson of MEPA further said her organization is also working closely with the Central Environment Authority (CEA) on the disposal of the nurdles and debris that has been collected thus far.
“The implications from this disaster have been manifold. But at the same time, we need to ensure that the disposal of this waste is completed responsibly in an environmentally friendly manner. We may also collaborate with private companies to dispose of waste ecologically and responsibly” said the Chairman of the CEA, S. Amarasinghe.
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