For the first time Sri Lanka Marine Environmental Protection Authority signed an agreement with France’s Collected Localization Satellites (CLS) to monitor oil spills caused by ships traveling in Sri Lankan waters via satellite technology.
This agreement is valid for a period of one year and the total value for the project is 601,810 Euros. The financial cost is covered by a grant from the French government while the Government of Sri Lanka has to bear a cost to implement the project. Prompt response will be provided for oil spills by ships and law enforcement too will come under this agreement. Minister of Urban Development and Housing, Prasanna Ranatunge said that every day around 300-350 ships travel on the southern coast of Sri Lanka.
“Due to the high density of maritime traffic on the coastal waters of Sri Lanka, a system is needed to monitor environmental hazards that may be caused to the sea of the country and this surveillance system would be the ideal solution for it.”
In addition, experts from Collected Localization Satellites (CLS) will provide valuable insights to Marine Environmental Protection Authority officers on how to monitor and take legal action against future oil spills. They would also be taught on the early detection of oil spills which can minimize potential risks to the environment and take precautions in advance.”
CLS which will be implementing this project currently has 34 locations around the world and are engaged in monitoring and observing oil spills through satellite technology.
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