Underwater explosion suspected as dead turtles found on shoreline

Around 20 turtle carcasses have washed ashore along the stretch of beach from Negombo to Kalutara within a span of just three days.

According to a senior official of the Department of Wildlife Conservation, the carcasses have been found from Kapungoda, Pamunugama, Muthurajawela Marsh and Induruwa sea areas.

In light of the situation, the Wildlife Department has launched an extensive investigation into the discovery of multiple turtle carcasses.

However, it is suspected that the turtles may have died due to an underwater explosion.

In response to the situation, the Colombo Fort Magistrate has issued an order for the Department to carry out post-mortem examinations on the deceased turtles and provide a detailed report to the court.

Meanwhile, the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) has disclosed that all turtles found deceased were of the same size and belonged to the same species.

NARA has also announced that water samples from the said sea areas will be subjected to testing.

“This analysis aims to determine whether any contaminants or adverse conditions in the ocean water have had an impact on the turtles, potentially contributing to their deaths,” a NARA official told Daily Mirror.(Sheain Fernandopulle)