An urgent plea to protect Sri Lankan waters

On June 9, an explosion was reported on board the Singapore-flagged container ship MV Wan Hai 503 off the coast of Kerala. 

The 270-metre-long vessel, with a draught of 12.5 metres, had left Colombo on June 7 and was en route to Mumbai, expected to arrive on June 10. Sri Lanka already has bad experience dealing with MT New Diamond and MV X-press Pearl vessels. 

The impact of the X-press Pearl is still being felt on Sri Lankan shores and coastal communities. The incident, described as the worst ecological disaster in maritime history was a heavy blow to the already ailing fisheries industry. Despite the then deputy fisheries minister digging into a raw fish on television to convince people to consume fish, it did very little to boost the fisheries industry. 

It took long years for people-turned volunteers to clear the thousands of plastic nurdles that were washed ashore and the garbage that accumulated following the inferno. 

Despite adequate maritime laws, Sri Lanka has a long way to go to secure compensation for such manmade disasters. As an island nation, Sri Lanka needs to secure its waters which are often vulnerable due to mounting geopolitical tensions.

Neela Weerakoon

Ambatale