The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has kept on hold the waste reception licenses of around 12 private companies engaged in ship waste disposal activities in Sri Lanka, due to the failure to adhere to the necessary rules and regulations. Speaking to The Sunday Morning, MEPA General Manager (GM) Dr. P.B. Terney Pradeep Kumara said the decision was taken after the cancellation of the Environmental Protection Licenses (EPLs) of those companies by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) following a survey conducted by the two authorities recently. During the survey, it was revealed that out of the total of 28 companies engaged in ship waste disposal activities in Sri Lanka, around 12 have been engaging in harmful practices while disposing oil and other waste into the environment, without adhering to the rules and regulations, he added. Seven such companies were warned and given a 14-day grace period to comply with the rules and regulations, Dr. Kumara noted. After the cancellation of EPLs by the CEA, the MEPA has decided to hold the waste reception licenses of those companies and warned them to take necessary steps to comply with the existing rules and regulations, according to the MEPA GM. If those companies fail to adopt the necessary changes, the licenses will be cancelled, he warned. – Maheesha Mudugamuwa