Sri Lanka, March 8 -- The Sri Lanka Coast Guard personnel have taken steps to swiftly clean the oil spillage reported in beach areas in Hikkaduwa.

The Coast Guard personnel with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Navy, the Marine Environment Protection Authority and the Coastal Conservation Department commenced cleaning the oil contaminated beach areas in Narigama, Thotagamuwa and Hikkaduwa in order to prevent damages to the marine ecosystem, the Sri Lanka Coast Guard said in a statement.

Oil patches were reported along the coastal areas of Hikkaduwa and Dodanduwa, according to the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA).

The oil spill was reported following the attack on an Iranian vessel in seas off Galle.

On March 4, US Secreta...