Extent of oil discharge spill near port investigated View(s):By Nidarshani WickramasingheThe Panama-registered vessel, MT ASP Avana, which was also responsible for a recent oil spill near the Colombo Port, was released following a fine of Rs 15 million, Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) chairman Samantha Gunasekara said. But investigations regarding the oil spill related to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) have yet to be completed. The spill was reported around 3:30 a.m. on December 14 when crude oil was being offloaded from the vessel to the CPC’s crude oil discharge buoy near the Colombo port. In a situation involving oil spills in which compensation claims are sought, air pollution must be considered,” she said. The relevant authorities in Sri Lanka must take into consideration such air pollution concerns referred to as ‘hidden exposures’,” she stressed.

Source: Sunday Times December 20, 2025 22:48 UTC