Oil Slicks at Hikkaduwa Beach Identified as Lubricant Oil

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Investigations have revealed that oil slicks on the Narigama beach in Hikkaduwa are lubricant oil. 

Minister of Environment, Dr. Dhammika Patabendi, said that the Coast Guard and the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) are currently conducting further investigations by collecting samples of the oil patches.

The Minister further noted that the oil slicks have spread across approximately 40 meters of the coastline. 

Cleanup operations are underway to remove the substances.

Three barrels and a part of an air tube were washed ashore near Hikkaduwa, yesterday. 

However, it has not yet been confirmed which vessel these items belong to.