Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) Chairman Samantha Gunasekara says the Sri Lankan government has not spent any public funds on the extensive beach clean-up operations, following the X-Press Pearl disaster or the more recent Elsa 3 nurdle spill.
“Not a single cent from the Sri Lankan government,” Gunasekara told The Island, explaining that all costs have been borne by the vessels’ owners and their insurers.
Gunasekara said MEPA teams conducted clean-up work from Colombo to Chilaw after the X-Press Pearl incident.
In the case of Elsa 3, crews have been deployed daily from Galle to Jaffna, including the islands of Delft, Nainativu, Punkuduthivu and Mandaitivu.
However, he admitted he has not personally visited the beaches affected by the X-Press Pearl disaster.
Gunasekara described X-Press Pearl as “more disastrous” and “one of the biggest chemical pollutions ever,” alleging that the tragedy was worsened by “top-level interference, corruption and mishandling.”
In contrast, the Elsa 3 incident — which originated in India on 25 May — involved polythene nurdles, impacting mangroves and coral ecosystems.
“Compared to X-Press Pearl, this is a much smaller chemical spill,” he said, though he noted that the nurdles have dispersed “over a larger area.”
Gunasekara confirmed that no foreign experts were involved in the X-Press Pearl clean-up.
For Elsa 3, the shipping line and its insurer have agreed to pay damages and costs, with MEPA enforcing “guidance and strict supervision.”
He said no casualties or health-related issues were reported from either spill. On possible long-term effects, he said: “We cannot forecast. That is a matter for other agencies.”
Gunasekara said MEPA does not handle compensation or accountability claims arising from maritime disasters. “No idea,” he said bluntly, noting that another government institution oversees the process.
MEPA has begun collecting baseline pollution data across coastal zones to help identify trends and strengthen future preparedness.
“Yes, it is in progress,” Gunasekara said, adding that the data will support future environmental response planning.
By Ifham Nizam