Sri Lanka faces new ecological crisis as MSC Elsa 3 debris spreads

Sri Lanka's coastline is facing an environmental crisis as toxic debris from a sunken container ship washes ashore.
Thousands of tiny plastic pellets known as nurdles, along with chemical residue and oil, are polluting vast stretches of the island's beaches.
Environmentalists warn of severe damage to marine life, coastal ecosystems and local livelihoods.
The debris is believed to be from the MSC Elsa 3, which sank in Indian waters in late May.
Sri Lankan authorities have deployed clean-up crews, but concerns remain about the long-term impact and the country's ability to respond to maritime disasters.
The incident has reignited memories of Sri Lanka's worst maritime disaster in 2021, when the MV Express Pearl caught fire off the coast.
As the country grapples with this latest environmental threat, there are calls for strengthened laws, improved technology, and better enforcement to protect Sri Lanka's marine environment.

Al Jazeera's Minelle Fernandez reports from Colombo, Sri Lanka

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Post from Al Jazeera on July 27, 2025

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