Marine pollution Claim of Rs. 3.4 Bn forwarded to MT New Diamond owners

10 April 2021 12:00 am Views - 108

• The panel of scientists appointed by MEPA in last September, confirmed marine pollution by the oil  leak

By Sheain Fernandopulle  

The Attorney General has forwarded a marine pollution claim for Rs. 3.423 Billion (19.022 Million US Dollars) to the lawyers of the ship owners of MT New Diamond Crude Oil Tanker in respect of the Oil Spill caused in September 2020, AG’s Coordinating Officer said. 

The panel of scientists appointed by Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) in last September confirmed marine pollution by the oil leak from the ill-fated crude oil tanker MT New Diamond.   

MT New Diamond, a 330-metre-long super-tanker carrying crude oil to India, caught fire off the east coast near Ampara on September 3.   

Despite it being an accidental phenomenon, it raised concerns in terms of the marine damage on Sri Lankan waters and the costs that the Sri Lankan Government had to bear on dousing the fire.  

 

•  It raised concerns in terms of the marine damage on Sri Lankan waters  and the costs that the Sri Lankan Government had to bear on dousing the  fire