Aug 30, Colombo: General Manager of Marine Environmental Protection Authority of Sri Lanka Rear Admiral S.R. Samaratunge says that the oil slick from the Cypress flagged cargo ship MV Thermopylae Sierra sank off the coast of Panadura cannot be contained.

He told media that the exact place of the oil leak could not be traced so far.

The Sri Lanka Navy divers who were deployed to search for the oil leak have reported that it was highly dangerous for the lives to reach the internal parts of the ship due to rough sea and other dangers such as floating objects.

He further said that the oil floating in the international waters are being removed.

The Disaster Management Center of Sri Lanka says that the oil floated ashore is being collected and destroyed whenever it occurs.

The ship which has been anchored for three years in the sea off Sri Lanka's west coast due to a pending court case sunk completely about 20 kilometers off Panadura coast after efforts to move the ship before the monsoon rains failed.

The 155 meters long and 127 meters wide ship with a weight of 15,612 tons began to deteriorate as it remained at sea without being maintained and subsequently it started taking in water.