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MEPA Chief says govt. spent 'not a single cent' on beach clean-ups after X-Press Pearl and Elsa 3 spills
The Island
|November 24, 2025
Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) Chairman Samantha Gunasekara says the Sri Lankan government has not spent any public funds on the extensive beach cleanup operations, following the X-Press Pearl disaster or the more recent Elsa 3 nurdle spill.
"Not a single cent from the Sri Lankan government," Gunasekara told The Island, explaining that all costs have been borne by the vessels' owners and their insurers.
Gunasekara said MEPA teams conducted cleanup work from Colombo to Chilaw after the X-Press Pearl incident.
In the case of Elsa 3, crews have been deployed daily from Galle to Jaffna, including the islands of Delft, Nainativu, Punkuduthivu and Mandaitivu. However, he admitted he has not personally visited the beaches affected by the X-Press Pearl disaster.
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FLERE HISTORIER FRA The Island
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