Studies to assess environmental damage by X-PRESS PEARL: NARA

COLOMBO (News 1st): Water samples are being collected from the coastal belt stretching from Wattala to Marawila to determine the environmental damage as a result of the burning MV X-PRESS PEARL, the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) said on Thursday morning (May 27). "A team of officers from NARA was dispatched to collect samples to conduct a study in order to determine the level of marine pollution given that chemicals and other objects from the ship had already fallen into the Sri Lankan waters," Dr. Palitha Kithsiri, the Director-General at the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) told News 1st. According to Dr. Kithsiri, based on the reports available so far there is NO confirmation of any negative impact to the environment as a result of the chemicals aboard the X-PRESS PEARL. "However, the 'Plastic Pebbles' washed ashore could cause a negative impact on the environment as it had collected along the Negombo beach stretching towards the Negombo Lagoon," Dr. Palitha Kithsiri emphasized. The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency will conduct a study on whether or not the plastic pebbles could be physically removed to minimize the impact and to assess the damage.