Navy, Coast Guard to check dumping of plastic waste in Lankan seas

The Fisheries Ministry has requested the Navy and the Coast Guard to inspect all fishing vessels that are leaving or returning to port to check for plastic objects after a internal study found that nearly five tons of plastic waste are dumped in Lankan seas, a senior official from the ministry said.

The study which was carried out by the Fisheries Department found that some 50,000 fishing vessels that engage in fishing activities in Lankan seas disposed of plastic objects weighing almost five tons - mainly water bottles.

Fisheries Ministry Director General M.C.L.Fernando told the Sunday Times that carrying plastic water bottles on board is banned and the Navy and Coast Guard are authorised to carry out inspections of vessels. “We have recommended fishermen to use permanent water containers on board,” hesaid.

Mr. Fernando said the move was in keeping with the President’s policy of protecting the environment as significant amounts of plastic waste dumped in the sea could threaten the existence of fish families, coral-reefs, aquatic plants and other aquatic species.

“Currently the ports in Trincomalee and Galle are under watch for plastic objects and circulars will be issued shortly to ban plastic at all ports,” he said.

Patients islandwide faced immense difficulties due to the token strike launched by members of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) this week. The GMOA said they were striking for an increase in their allowance and for the Government to drop the proposed new taxes they claimed would hurt Medical Officers.

Many patients reacted angrily to the strike, accusing doctors of using them as human shields to win over their demands.

K.V. Joseph, a patient who was transferred to the National Hospital for surgery on his left leg, was waiting in a wheelchair at the gate of the Out Patients Department (OPD) building, till an ambulance picked him up.

He said he was transferred from Ragama Hospital to Colombo, as one of his toes needed to be amputated due to complications arising from diabetes. However, he could not be admitted because of the strike.

Mr Joseph said that he had been told to have his surgery by Thursday, yet he was neglected at the hospital and ultimately asked to leave.

“Two cancer patients were brought to the National Hospital along with me. They needed more attention, but due to the lack of doctors, they were sent to Maharagama,” he said.

E.W.A Vijithanada Amarasada is blind. He had come to the hospital to purchase a medicinal drug needed for his daughter who suffers from a psychological illness. But Mr Amaradasa claimed he was ridiculed by a group of attendants who refused to help him, stating the doctors were on strike.

He pointed out that, he had a right to be treated equally, just like any other person. Mr Amaradasa though, said such incidents rarely occur when doctors are at the hospital.

G.R Adhikaram who was waiting to get admitted for his stent surgery, said he had to wait for over an hour for medical checks, before being admitted.

He said most of the patients come to Government hospitals due to economic difficulties, but the doctors don’t feel sorry for the suffering people.

“They are punishing us when they want to oppose the Government. They are using us as a means to win their demands. They are educated, but lack humanity,” he insisted.

Inoshika Dhilrukshi, a young mother, had been waiting with her one-year-old daughter and son for over five hours, from six in the morning. She was waiting for her mother who had gone in to show her blood report to a doctor.

She said that, they are resident in Polonnaruwa and hence, travel long distances to get to Colombo.

Meanwhile, the GMOA left open the possibility of there being further trade union action in the coming weeks. GMOA Secretary Dr Nalinda Herath said the Government stated to them that the proposed taxes won’t be removed. Allowances for Medical Officers, however, will be increased.

He stressed the GMOA had not made a final decision on the matter. It will hold an Executive Committee meeting next week to decide whether the Government’s solutions were acceptable to its members, or else launch fresh trade union action.