Update – Today June 16 is World Sea Turtle Day. This day is observed every year June 16 to save this aquatic species from extinction. It highlights the importance of sea turtles in the marine system. The sea turtles are magnificent creatures that live as the keystone species on the ocean body.
A total of 50 dead turtles have so far washed ashore on the coast of Sri Lanka in the last few days, reports Derana and Hiru. Over the past two weeks, more than 40 dead sea turtles & 07 dolphins washed up on Sri Lankan shores according to NewsFirst. Meanwhile a Blue whale has beached in Kayts, Jaffna. The whale was reported to be dead when beaching. The reason for the death is still unknown says PearlProtectors.
Further investigations are underway to ascertain the presence of turtle carcasses along the coastal belt stretching from Kalpitiya to Hambantota, a spokesperson for the Wildlife Conservation Department.
Update – Attorney General AG informed Colombo Magistrates Court that 176 turtles, 4 Whales and 20 Dolphins were killed due to environmental pollution caused by the fire and sinking of MV X Press Pearl ship. Sri Lanka is experiencing the worst marine and ecological disaster as the cargo vessel carrying 25 metric tons of nitric acid sinks into the Indian Ocean.