The Sri Lanka Navy stated today (4) that as at present, there was no risk of oil spilling from the Panama-flagged MT New Diamond oil tanker, which is currently on fire and drifting some 22 nautical miles off the Sri Lankan coast.
The priority now is to bring the fire on-board the vessel under control and render it safe, Admiral Y.N. Jayarathna, Director - Naval Operations told the media at a press conference this afternoon.
The fire is currently concentrated along the port side of the vessel in the region of its superstructure.
A Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the No. 72 squadron has crashed into the Madhuru Oya reservoir this morning, Air FOrce Media Spokesman Eranda Geeganage said.
Read this week’s Sunday Times for your interesting articles including the ’’5th Column’’.
In its first electoral test since taking power, the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) fell short of expectations, winning only around 40 % of the national vote in Tuesday’s local government election and falling short of enough seats to gain control of the majority of councils.
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