Will approve to tow MT New Diamond away once negotiation is completed: MEPA

The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has informed the Attorney General as well as the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre at the Navy Headquarters that the MEPA will grant approval to tow MT New Diamond away from of Sri Lankan waters, once the negotiation process is completed.

In a letter addressed to the Director General (Operations) of Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre at Navy Headquarters in Colombo 01, MEPA Chairperson Dharshani Lahandapura said they are in the process of negotiating through AG’s Dept., with the Owners / P & I Club and their lawyers to secure a guarantee for the environmental pollution resulted due the oil spill from the aforementioned casualty.

“Please note that MEPA will grant approval to tow the ship away from of Sri Lankan waters as per the authority given to MEPA by the Marine Pollution Prevention Act No. 35 of 2008, once the negotiation process is completed,” it said.

The copies of the letter have been sent to the Attorney General, Secretary to the President, Defense Secretary, Urban Development and Housing Secretary, Navy Commander and the Director General of the Department of Merchant Shipping.