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Oil leak continues to wreak havoc on lives, livelihoods and environment
View(s):The Muthurajawala oil leak, after two weeks, has left more trees dead, rotting animals and the lagoon unusable for villagers, as authorities were trying to take remedial measures.
Fishermen complained the oil is still found in between the mangrove roots and are further killing the plants as well as wildlife.
The head of the Kaldiyawatte Alluth Akkaraya Fishermen’s Association, Ajith Nelson said that all small water bodies within the lagoon, as well as a small canal at Ithiyogama, still hold oil residues.
He said residents were complaining that their heads felt numb and they were feeling dizzy due to the fumes of the leaked kerosene oil residues. They are unable to fish as well.
He claimed they were told that compensation of Rs 1 million would be shared among 55 families, who suffered losses.
However, they claimed the amount is insufficient to pay 55 families and provide compensation to 22 boat owners who could not go fishing for three days due to the leak.
“We could not go out to sea as the Hamilton Canalwas blocked, hence fishing will be affected for about a year,” he said.
He said the authorities should take further action to remove the oil and restore life to the damaged wetland.
Fisherman Albert Fernando (61) said the villagers wives and children who collected oil have fallen ill. He explained that most of the people have fallen ill due to exposure to the strong fumes of kerosene and the stench of dead animals inside the mangroves.
He said they are concerned over Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminal Ltd (CPSTL) officials’ actions to revive the pipeline after inspection.
Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) General Manager, Dr Terney Pradeep Kumara said they have gone to court against the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.
He said they are compiling evidence for an estimated damage of Rs 5 million, He said they are also concerned about the leak in the oil pipeline which was designed to run under the sea without corroding.
He said over 50,000 litres of oil were collected by both the coastguard and MEPA officials.
CPSTL Chairman Shehan Seneviratne said they, the MEPA and the coastguard cleansed the lagoon, and only 5% of oil is left.
He said they have already handed over the money allocated for compensation to the District Secretariat office.
He said Japanese and Israeli experts were sending tubes inside the pipeline to check for any corrosion, and if the pipeline is intact they will use the line again.