26 May 2021 05:57 pm
The police had began an investigation to identify and take action against those who had rushed to the shores of Colombo, Negombo and nearby areas to collect waste from the burning ship ‘ MV X-Press Pearl’.
Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said that various kinds of waste material reached the shore, have been taken away by certain individuals.
It is reported that people had gathered at the beach especially in the Pamunugama, Dungalpitiya, Negombo and Kochchikade police areas to collect them.
"Some individuals gathered in those areas violating quarantine rules, especially on a day when travel restrictions are in force, and on the other hand, it is not possible to say whether those are chemical substances or how hazardous they are. It is an action that could be dangerous to others ," he said.
Earlier, the Marine Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) also requested the public to avoid touching or opening such material or packages as they might contain toxic/poisonous objects.
The spokesman said that the Negombo SSP has commenced an investigation against those individuals for violating the quarantine rules.
Accordingly, the Pamunugama, Dungalpitiya and Negombo police are conducting special investigations examing the video footages and action to be taken against those responsible for violating the quarantine laws, DIG Rohana said.(Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)