The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) will submit the statements obtained from the Captain and the crew of the stricken vessel, MT New Diamond, before the courts today. Last week the Colombo Magistrate ordered the CID to obtain statements from the group after facts on the incident were presented to the courts by the Attorney General’s Department.
Meanwhile, a meeting is to be held today (14) led by the Attorney General along with other agencies involved in the future steps to be taken on the MT New Diamond, which caught fire in the Eastern seas on September 3. Local authorities are also expected to discuss the issue with the salvaging company and the owners of the ship on the possible next steps.
The Sri Lanka Navy, the Marine Environment Protection Authority, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and the Coast Conservation Department are expected to attend today’s meeting.
The ship currently lies around 52 nautical miles from the Sri Lankan coast. Last week the AG ordered the ship to be towed to around 100 nautical miles away in order to protect the Sri Lankan coast and seas from any possible negative effects. According to the Sri Lanka Navy, tug boats are being used to keep the ship in place within the deep sea and prevent it from drifting towards the coast.
