Oil Leak from X-Press Pearl ? Activists demand immediate action

COLOMBO (News 1st); Environmental activists claim there is an oil leak from the X-Press Pearl Wreck sitting on the ocean floor off the coast of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Justice, Hemantha Withanage speaking to reporters in Colombo on Thursday (22) said he believes the bunker oil from the X-Press Pearl is leaking.

He said over 275 sea turtles are reported to have died following the X-Press Pearl disaster and it can be assumed that the actual number of sea turtle deaths can be north of 2000.

'In addition, around 45 dolphins have also reported to have died,' he said.

He claimed there is chemical contamination in the sea resulting in the death of marine life while local academics have failed to provide reasons for this issue.

The Executive Director of the Centre for Environmental Justice, Hemantha Withanage went on to note that the oil leak is resulting in the deaths of more fish and the livelihoods of the fishermen.

'According to information received, the oil is leaking out from one of the air vents which is about 02 to 03 meters below the sea level. And this can be capped,' he said adding that the government is waiting until the rough season ends to solve the issue.

'We cannot wait for that long, we demand the government take steps to cap the leak,' he stressed.