There is no threat and zero probability of mixing furnace oil from tanks at the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery to the Kelani River, the Navy said.

The separator tanks containing furnace oil at the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery managed by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, have overflowed with the ingress of rain water following heavy downpour yesterday.

There was a possibility of furnace oil mixed water in the Sapugaskanda area drifting into the Kelani River through the Pattivila canal.

However, the Navy and Sri Lanka Coast Guard have taken action since last evening to skim the furnace oil exposed to the external environment and to prevent further spread as it could have an adverse impact on the water distribution of Ambathale and Biyagama water treatment plants.

Navy Spokesman Captain Indika De Silva said that operations are continuing at the moment to skim the furnace oil from the flood waters using floating boom.(Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)