The Attorney General informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (30) that 176 turtles, 20 dolphins and 4 palm fish have died due to the environmental damage caused by the “Express Pearl” fire.
Deputy Solicitor General Madhava Tennakoon, who is representing the CID, said that although some people have stated that the deaths of these sea creatures were due to the warakan (rough seas) period, they could not accept it. The Deputy Solicitor General also said that a committee of 39 experts appointed by the Marine Pollution Prevention Authority had recommended that the death of the sea creatures was due to the environmental damage caused by the burning of the “Express Pearl”.
The Deputy Solicitor General informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that investigations are being carried out in 26 courts islandwide and parts of the carcasses have been referred to the Government Analyst’s Department for investigation.