Sri Lanka monitors environmental impct on container ship accident

The vessel, which met with an accident 38 nautical miles off the Kerala coast on May 25, spilled plastic pellets that later washed ashore in areas including Delft, Nagadeepa, Mannar, Kilinochchi, and Chilaw.

MEPA Executive Director Jagath Gunasekara stated at a press briefing that there was no need to ban fishing or seafood consumption, as no immediate threats had been identified. Cleanup operations are underway, and the public has been urged to report pellet sightings to the 1949 emergency hotline.

Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, with support from Indian and international agencies, the Sri Lankan Navy, and the Department of Wildlife Conservation, which is assessing possible effects on marine life. Of the 643 containers on board, 13 contained hazardous materials, including 12 with calcium carbide.