Police go after those who collected debris from fire-stricken vessel

By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon and Chaminda Silva

An investigation had been launched to trace those who had collected the toxic debris washed ashore from the fire stricken MV X-Press Pearl ship despite warnings not to do so, police media spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said.

Many people gathered on beaches in Negombo, Kochchikade, Pamunugamuwa and Dungalpitiya police divisions and gathered the debris.

The police spokesman said that video footage of those taking away the debris had also been received.

Action would be taken against those individuals for violating quarantine rules and other offences.

Eight persons had already been arrested along with a lorry for collecting debris from the ship, the Police Spokesman said, adding that they were from Negombo, Pamunugamuwa and Dungalpitiya.