A fuel leak has been reported from a pipeline connected to the first buoy used for fuel unloading at the Colombo Port, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) said.
In a statement, the CPC said fuel unloading through the affected pipeline has been temporarily suspended following the detection of the leak. Repair work on the pipeline has already commenced, it said.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) and the Sri Lanka Navy are jointly conducting cleanup operations to remove fuel that mixed with seawater following the incident.
MEPA said the leak occurred in the early hours of today (14) and that steps are being taken to assess the extent of the fuel spread. Assistance from the Sri Lanka Air Force is also expected to be obtained to identify the affected area.
Authorities said further updates will be provided once repair work and cleanup operations are completed. (Newswire)