• NARA to test Negombo-Kalutara seawater

The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has sent around 10-15 turtle carcasses that had washed ashore along the stretch of beach from Negombo to Kalutara last week to the Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC), requesting a detailed report with autopsy findings about the incident.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (28), MEPA Chairman Asela B. Rekawa said that he was informed by MEPA officers that the carcasses had been sent to the DWC for autopsies and that the MEPA is yet to be informed about the reason for this situation. Rekawa added that the MEPA is to issue a public statement in this regard once they receive the report of the DWC.

Meanwhile, when contacted by The Daily Morning, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) Chairman Prof. Jayantha Wijeyaratne said that his institution has no authority to conduct an investigation into the matter since turtles fall under the purview of the DWC, as mentioned in the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance. However, he said that water samples collected from the areas where the carcasses were found will be tested.

According to the DWC, the carcasses have been found in Kapungoda, Pamunugama, the Muthurajawela marsh, and the Induruwa sea areas. The DWC has also launched an extensive investigation into the discovery of multiple turtle carcasses.

However, it was reported that some parties suspect that the turtles had died due to an underwater explosion, but both the MEPA and the NARA refrained from commenting on these reports, claiming that no formal institution has confirmed the same.

In response to the situation, the Colombo Fort Magistrate had also issued an order on 22 August for the DWC to carry out post-mortem examinations on the deceased turtles and to provide a detailed report to the court.