brand logo

Sapugaskanda oil leak: Rs. 2 m compensation for the affected 

03 Jul 2021

  • Committee finds 45 individuals to receive relief 

  • Report on causes/non-recurrence pending    

By Yumiko Perera   The residents of the Mabima, Walahena, and Pattivila areas who were affected by the oil leakage caused as a result of furnace oil overflowing from separator tanks at the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery following heavy rainfall late last month, are to be compensated soon for the damages with approximately Rs. 2 million, The Sunday Morning learnt.  Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Energy Minister and Cabinet Co-Spokesman Udaya Gammanpila said that Rs. 1,933,000 has been estimated to be distributed as compensation to 45 persons in the aforementioned areas that had been affected by the incident.  Gammanpila had appointed two committees to look into the oil leakage at the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery during the recent floods in the surrounding areas. The committee, tasked with calculating the compensation, presented its report to the Minister on 21 June.   The committee had taken into account the property damage incurred, as well as the damage caused to the water sources in the area, The Sunday Morning learnt.   However, the committee that had been appointed to investigate the causes that led to the oil leakage has yet to submit its report and has requested for more time, as investigations are still underway to determine the root causes that led to the incident.   The committee has also been tasked with the responsibility of probing into whether any negligence on the part of the officials at the refinery had led to the incident, as well as to determine what measures should be put forth to prevent such incidents from recurring.   


More News..