• container from the stricken ship which had drifted ashore had got stuck and bags suspected to be containing chemicals had drifted ashore

 By D. G. Sugathapala and Sumathipala Diyagahage   

Debris from the fire-stricken container ship X-Press Pearl  have been washed ashore yesterday between Midigama and Denuwala near the Gowiyapana bridge in Ahangama in the southern coastal belt.   

A cargo container from the stricken ship which had drifted ashore had got stuck and bags suspected to be containing chemicals had drifted ashore.   

The Weligama Police took steps to inform people not to touch the bags and strengthened the security in the area.   
Southern Province Assistant Director of Maritime Environmental Protection Authority, Renuka Ranaweera took measures to clean the beach with the Sri Lanka Coast Guard.   

She said that the debris accumulated would be sent in a container to Wattala where other debris from the ship are currently being collected. 

• Police had taken steps to inform people not to touch the bags and strengthened the security in the area