Minister calls for probe on Disposal of furnace oil from vessels

COLOMBO (News 1st) Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera appointed a committee to investigate the environmental damage caused by disposal furnace oil & sludge by ships entering Sri Lankan ports.

The committee includes representatives from the Central Environmental Authority, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, the Marine Environmental Protection Authority, and representatives of businesses related to furnace oil.

When a ship discharges furnace oil in all countries the ship must pay a fee considering the environmental damage caused.

But in Sri Lanka, furnace oil is obtained by paying money.

Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed the authorities to study the situation and submit a report as there is a great deal of environmental damage due to this improper activity.