The Sri Lankan government is in the process of approving new legislation to prevent pollution in the country's territorial waters.
A new statutory board, the Marine Environment Protection Authority, will be created to formulate and execute a scheme for the prevention, reduction, control and management of pollution arising from shipping activities and shore-based maritime-related activities.
The authority will also oversee, regulate and supervise the conduct of contractors and other persons engaged in exploration of natural resources, including petroleum and related activities.
Under a new law, ships entering Sri Lankan waters will be required to carry record books relating to oils, harmful substances or other pollutants, with details of the loading and transfer of oil cargo as well as other relevant information.
The authority will have the power to prosecute the owner, operator, master or agent of any ship if there has been an accidental or willful discharge of a substantial quantity of oil, harmful substance or other pollutants.
Those who discharge waste into the waters without a permit from the authority, or fail to take the prescribed steps to mitigate the pollution, will also be prosecuted.
Parties found guilty under these offences can be fined from 500,000 rupees ($4,600) to 15 million rupees ($139,000).
The Marine Pollution Prevention Bill to give effect to the new laws was presented to Parliament and is likely to be taken up for debate next month.
A new statutory board, the Marine Environment Protection Authority, will be created to formulate and execute a scheme for the prevention, reduction, control and management of pollution arising from shipping activities and shore-based maritime-related activities.
The authority will also oversee, regulate and supervise the conduct of contractors and other persons engaged in exploration of natural resources, including petroleum and related activities.
Under a new law, ships entering Sri Lankan waters will be required to carry record books relating to oils, harmful substances or other pollutants, with details of the loading and transfer of oil cargo as well as other relevant information.
The authority will have the power to prosecute the owner, operator, master or agent of any ship if there has been an accidental or willful discharge of a substantial quantity of oil, harmful substance or other pollutants.
Those who discharge waste into the waters without a permit from the authority, or fail to take the prescribed steps to mitigate the pollution, will also be prosecuted.
Parties found guilty under these offences can be fined from 500,000 rupees ($4,600) to 15 million rupees ($139,000).
The Marine Pollution Prevention Bill to give effect to the new laws was presented to Parliament and is likely to be taken up for debate next month.