China’s Plastic Waste Polluting Northern Sea: Annarasa

10-Jun-2025

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Annalingam Annarasa, media spokesperson for the Northern Province Maritime Industry Association, has raised concerns over unchecked environmental pollution caused by Chinese plastic waste in northern Sri Lankan waters.

Speaking at a press conference in Jaffna, Annarasa said:

"It is deeply concerning that while the government is cleaning up the land to mark Environment Day, it is turning a blind eye to plastic waste and banned fishing nets from the Chinese government polluting our seas."

He highlighted that despite cleanup operations being conducted across the Jaffna District, no action has been taken against illegal sea urchin farms and the plastic waste found in the sea, particularly in Paruthi Theevu, where a Chinese sea urchin farm operates.

"This pollution poses severe health risks, as the plastic is ingested by fish and eventually consumed by people," he added.

Annarasa called on the current administration, including Tamil political leaders, to urgently address the issue and implement proper measures to prevent further marine contamination.