Aug 27, Colombo: Chairman of Sri Lanka's Master Divers company Ariyasheela Wickremanayake says that the cargo ship sank off Panadura can be salvaged only in January next year due to prevailing rough sea condition now.

Cyprus flagged MV Thermopylae Sierra which had anchored in the sea off Panadura since 2009 due to a court case sank last week with the cargo including steel pipes and machinery used in cement production.

Wickremanayake, a veteran in the marine sector said that he had earlier warned of the possible sinking due to water leakage into the ship which could have been prevented and the necessity of shifting the ship to Trincomalee area before April this year.

The ship weighing 15,612 tons sank in 70 feet deep water near the Colombo port with about 75 tons of fuel oil. However, the oil slick has not been a major environmental threat on the country's west coast despite the authority's concerns.

ColomboPage - Recent 10 Stories

Petition with million signatures to strip land and police powers to PCs handed over to Sri Lankan President -- [3 hours ago] Sri Lanka's senior police officer arrested for contract killing terminated -- [4 hours ago] Sri Lanka President tells legislators no foreign tours from next month, focus on elections -- [5 hours ago] Sri Lanka invests 5.9 percent of GDP in public projects last year -- [5 hours ago] Sri Lanka nationalist party introduces bill to abolish PC system -- [6 hours ago] Sri Lanka parliament passes bill to ensure voting rights of displaced people -- [6 hours ago] Sri Lanka opposition party members of Balapitiya PS wear black bands to protest attack on UNP leader -- [7 hours ago] Sri Lanka police arrest two suspects in Colombo Port fire -- [8 hours ago] Dubai-based Eagle Investments acquires Sri Lanka brokerage and asset management firm -- [8 hours ago] No cadmium in rice grown in Sri Lanka -- [9 hours ago]