Divers shun any survey dives near stricken vessel

By Ifham Nizam

Divers had refused to go underwater near the ill- fated ship X-Press Pearl,  fearing the ill-effects of acid mixed with water, a senior government official said yesterday.

“Nobody knows the heat level and many refused to carry out any survey near the stricken vessel,” he added.

Meanwhile, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that even if Sri Lanka received Rs. 100 billion as compensation for the massive pollution caused by the burning/now sinking ship the environmental damage couldn’t be repaired.

Minister Amaraweera said the government was exploring ways and means of preventing an oil spill.