Kerala Shipwreck Debris Reaches Sri Lanka

Colombo: Days after a cargo vessel sank off the coast of Kerala, microplastic pellets and other marine debris have begun washing up along Sri Lanka’s northern coast, sparking environmental concerns, Sri Lanka Mirror reported on Friday.
The debris, believed to have originated from the Liberian-flagged cargo ship MSC ELSA 03, has been found in areas such as Delft Island, Jaffna, Nainativu, and Mannar, with smaller traces observed along the Kilinochchi and Chilaw coastlines, according to the report.
The vessel sank on May 25, approximately 14.6 nautical miles off Thottappally in Kerala's Alappuzha district.
“Yesterday, we observed plastic pellets from the sunken vessel washing ashore along the Delft and Jaffna coastlines,” said RHMV Abeykoon, acting chairman of the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA).
With rough seas and strong winds expected in the coming days, officials warn that ocean currents may carry more debris toward Sri Lanka.
The risk of Sri Lanka being affected by the shipwreck was initially flagged by international environmental groups on May 28, and further confirmed by the Indian Coast Guard on May 30, the report said.
At the time of sinking, the MSC ELSA 03 was carrying 643 containers, including 13 classified as dangerous goods. Among them were 12 containers of calcium carbide, a chemical that releases toxic gases when in contact with seawater, and around 60 containers filled with plastic pellets, according to MEPA General Manager Jagath Gunasekara.
Gunasekara noted that since the incident occurred nearly 300 nautical miles from Sri Lanka, any chemical substances would be significantly diluted by the time they reach the island’s shores. “There is no health risk, and no need to impose fishing bans or restrictions in Sri Lankan waters,” he said.
MEPA also confirmed that clean-up operations would be intensified, with a priority on removing plastic pellets from affected shorelines.