The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) of Sri Lanka announced that the removal of an oil spill along the coastline from Wellawatte to Mount Lavinia had begun.

A black patch of oil in the sea was reported on the coastal belt from Dehiwela to Mount Lavinia, and MEPA requested visitors to avoid these beach areas that were affected by the oil spill.

Coastguard ships have been deployed by MEPA to look into the matter, which was believed to be caused by an oil leak from a ship – State Minister Ajith Mannapperuma said an investigation has been launched into the incident.