Software protecting Sri Lanka’s oceanic zone to be used

Thursday, 21 May 2015 00:40 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Steps are being taken to introduce software which can be used to help prevent the country’s marine zone from being polluted by vessels reaching the country.

The ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) and the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) have jointly developed the software.

Elaborating on the new software, ICTA eServices Program Head Kanchana Thudugala said: “Equipped with a foreknowledge of the particulars of ships scheduled to arrive in the country, the software will facilitate the systematic and efficient disposal of ships’ waste. In addition, the software can be used to facilitate the discharge of ballast water and the pumping of required ballast water into ballast tanks to ensure the ship’s stability and manoeuvrability.”

According to MEPA, annually about 5,000 ships arrive in Sri Lanka and about 1,000 ships dispose of waste in this country. The total waste disposed amounts to about 20,000 metric tonnes.

“The introduction of the software will enable this marine waste disposal by adopting the most proper methodology. It will offer a great boost in protecting the country’s marine zone from marine pollution,” MEPA said.

Sri Lanka’s marine zone extends for about 200 nautical miles.

According to the ICTA, this software will be available within the next few weeks.