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NARA to submit findings next week

17 Jun 2021

  • International experts to assist 

By Pamodi Waravita   The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) has been instructed to submit all its findings and progress on the investigations related to the MV X-Press Pearl ship by next week.  The instruction was issued by Ornamental Fish, Inland Fish and Prawn Farming, Fishery Harbour Development, Multi Day Fishing Activities and Fish Exports State Minister Kanchana Wijesekera yesterday (16).  Following a discussion which was held in this regard at the State Ministry yesterday, a statement issued in this regard noted that further steps would be taken based on these investigations into the seabed and the surrounding marine environment, with the help of both local and international experts.  Furthermore, instructions had been given to ensure that the daily collection of samples and the analyses of the water and fish in the region continue.  Based on advice from the Justice Ministry and the Attorney General’s Department, the findings of these investigations would be released next week.  The MV X-Press Pearl ship caught fire on 20 May approximately nine nautical miles away from the Colombo Harbour, after having anchored there a few hours prior to the fire. A subsequent explosion on 24 May led to the fire spreading and a number of containers aboard it falling into the sea, thus releasing pollutants including plastic pellets into the water. Since then, debris and deceased marine life have washed up on the country’s Western coastline, heavily affecting both the fisheries industry and the country’s marine environment.


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