The mounting clinical waste in coastal areas off Puttalam has washed ashore from India, the Maritime Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) confirmed yesterday.
Speaking to Daily Mirror, MEPA CEO Dr. Terney Pradeep Kumara said clinical waste could be found in Kanda Duwa, Cinna Padu, Periya Padu and Palliwatta Padu in Puttalam.
âResidents in these areas complained to the MEPA that 50 to 60 kilograms of clinical waste were found washed ashore. Expired medicines, bottles, polythene packages, syringes and surgical hand gloves were among them,â he said.
Mr. Kumara alleged that expired clinical waste would have been released to the rivers and streams in Tamil Nadu and that it would have reached Sri Lankan soil due to sea currents.
âWe cannot prevent clinical waste from coming to local beaches because it is a natural process,â he said.
However, the MEPA warned the public not to collect clinical waste without any safety precaution, and not to swim in the seas off the coast where clinical waste gathered.
âJust like clinical waste released by India arrived in Sri Lanka, effluents released by us may reach the Maldives. Clinical waste is often identified by labels,â he said.
The year 2024 has set a historic record for the highest number of Sri Lankans…
The Canned Fish Manufacturers’ Association of Sri Lanka (CFMASL) has requested the government to reduce…
The Supreme Court today declared that the Fundamental Rights of the student candidates and petitioners…
Sri Lanka Police has announced a special traffic plan to minimize congestion in Colombo city…
The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has launched a special initiative to address the growing waste…
With the shortage of Nadu and white raw rice varieties in the market, Sri Lankans…