COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (News Cutter) – Sagala Ratnayake, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of the Presidential Staff, officially began a plan yesterday, March 12, targeted at minimising the environmental damage caused by the stricken X-Press Pearl vessel, which caught fire.

The program’s introduction took held at Crow Island Beach in Mattakkuliya, and it includes using equipment to collect trash from the impacted coast.

The Sri Lanka Navy, the Central Environmental Authority, the Department of Coast Conservation, the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government, the Department of Coast Conservation, the Department of Coast Protection, and Tudawe Brothers Private Limited all work together to carry out the programme.

Mr. Ratnayake stated on this occasion that Sri Lanka attracts tourists due to its beautiful beaches, environment, and cultural heritage. He emphasised that everyone has a responsibility to safeguard the ecosystem and the coast for future generations in order to support the tourism industry.

In order to continue conducting this coastline conservation programme sustainably, Mr. Ratnayake said that he expects getting help from resource people and non-governmental organisations.

Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, chairman of the Marine Environment Protection Authority, Asela B. Rekawa, Jerome Fernando, chairman of the Clean Ocean Force Organization, and other officials were present at the ceremony.