Another dead dolphin washed ashore, NARA mum over ship disaster

The carcass of a dolphin was seen washed onto the shores of Kalpitiya Eechchankaduwa today (13) morning, raising fears that the impact of the X-Press Pearl ship disaster was continuing to affect marine life.

No external injuries were found on the body which was 6-foot-long.

Wildlife Department's Kalpitiya Senior Site Ranger, Manjula Moratenna said that this dolphin is called a 'Striped Dolphin' and the cause of its death has not been ascertained and it’ll be referred  to the Veterinary Unit of the Wildlife Department, who will carry out further investigations.

Already more than 25 turtles have been found dead along beaches stretching from Kalpitiya to Kosgoda in the south.

However, environmentalists have accused the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) for failing to make a clear statement on the environmental damage.

NARA officials have declined to respond to a number of calls from media persons.

 (Pix by Padma Kumari Kankanamge)