Sri Lanka, March 8 -- Authorities are closely monitoring small oil patches reported along the coastal areas of Hikkaduwa and Dodanduwa, according to the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA).

Speaking at a media briefing held today (08), MEPA Chairman Samantha Gunasekara stated that the observed oil patches are very small in scale and do not currently indicate a large-scale oil spill.

Gunasekara revealed that four oil barrels had washed ashore along the affected coastline. Preliminary observations suggest that the substance could likely be lubricating oil, though authorities are awaiting confirmation. Samples collected from the beach have been sent to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) for detailed laboratory analysis.

The...