Plastic Pellets Invade Sri Lankan Shores After Indian Shipwreck

COLOMBO (News 1st); Microplastic pellets and other marine debris have begun washing ashore along the northern coastlines of Sri Lanka, including Delft Island, Jaffna, Nainativu, and Mannar, raising environmental concerns among authorities and coastal communities.

According to the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), the debris is believed to have originated from the MSC ELSA 03, a Liberia-flagged cargo vessel that sank off the coast of Kerala, India, on May 25.

News 1st correspondents also reported minor traces of microplastics along the Kilinochchi and Chilaw coastlines.

“Yesterday, we observed plastic pellets from the sunken vessel washing ashore along the Delft and Jaffna coastlines,” said R.H.M.V. Abeykoon, Acting Chairman of MEPA.
“With strong winds and rough seas expected in the coming days, ocean currents may carry more of these pellets to our shores.”

MEPA has activated an emergency hotline (1949) for the public to report any sightings of marine debris along the coast.

The MSC ELSA 03 sank approximately 38 nautical miles off the coast of Kerala due to water ingress. At the time of the incident, the vessel was carrying 643 containers, including 13 classified as dangerous goods.

“Twelve of those containers held calcium carbide, a chemical that can release toxic gases when it reacts with seawater,” explained Jagath Gunasekara, General Manager of MEPA.
“Additionally, around 60 containers were filled with plastic pellets.”

MEPA received initial alerts from the Sri Lanka Navy shortly after the incident. On May 28, international organizations warned of the potential for debris to reach Sri Lanka’s coastline. This risk was further confirmed by the Indian Coast Guard on May 30.

In response to the incident, Indian authorities imposed a fishing ban within a 2-kilometer radius of the wreck site. However, MEPA has assured that Sri Lankan waters remain unaffected.

“Since the incident occurred about 300 nautical miles from Sri Lanka, any chemical substances would be significantly diluted before reaching our shores,” Gunasekara said.
“There is no health risk, and no fishing bans or restrictions are necessary in Sri Lankan waters.”
MEPA is now preparing to implement the National Contingency Plan for oil and chemical spills.

“Starting today, we are expanding operations to clean up the affected coastal areas,” Gunasekara added. “Our priority is to remove plastic pellets that have already reached the shoreline as quickly as possible.”