28 May 2021 04:15 pm Views - 1073
Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) is hoping to have an interim claim from the relevant companies to which the X-Press Pearl ship belongs, to cover the damages, MEPA Chairperson Dharshani Lahandapura said.
While addressing the media at a briefing held at the Government Information Department today, she said MEPA will conduct a complete environmental damage assessment based on internationally recognised scientific methods.
"To conduct complete damage assessment is very complicated. It will take a maximum of three years to get the complete report, therefore, the MEPA is hoping to have an interim claim to cover the damage," Lahandapura said.
She said necessary legal action will be taken against the party/s who act in an irresponsive manner after analysing the whole facts.
A complaint already lodged at the harbour police to initiate the investigations, the Chairperson added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)