Cyclone Ditwah: 143km of Sri Lanka’s coastline polluted, cleanup to take weeks

By Indika Sri Aravinda  

The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) reports that 143 kilometres of Sri Lanka’s coastline has been polluted following severe flooding triggered by Cyclone Ditwah.   

MEPA Chairman Samantha Gunasekara said the heavy rains and widespread flooding have caused significant environmental damage along the coast, and restoring the affected areas is expected to require 5,280 man-hours.   

The most affected regions include the coastal belts of Colombo, Negombo, Chilaw, Puttalam, Kalpitiya, and several areas in the Eastern Province.   

Authorities say debris, waste, and personal belongings washed away during floods and landslides across the island have been carried through river systems and deposited along the coastline.   

Gunasekara added that monsoon conditions have also pushed garbage from the Indian coastline onto Sri Lanka’s shores, further worsening the pollution. To manage the cleanup, MEPA is mobilizing a hired workforce, with operations expected to last at least three weeks. After collection, local government bodies will assist in the disposal and management of the waste.   

MEPA’s 13 regional offices have been instructed to support these efforts.   

Gunasekara also revealed that an observation report on waste deposited on the seabed is currently being prepared as part of the ongoing environmental assessment.