An oil spill reported near the Colombo Port in the early hours of 14 December 2025 has been successfully brought under control, averting a potential environmental crisis. Authorities confirmed that approximately 200 litres of crude oil were discharged into the sea due to a technical defect during unloading operations. The incident has prompted a temporary suspension of fuel unloading at the affected mooring while investigations and repairs are carried out.
The leak occurred at around 3.30 a.m. near the crude oil unloading buoy belonging to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC). The discharge took place while crude oil was being transferred from the Panama-flagged tanker MT ASP Avana, which had arrived in Colombo to deliver a shipment for the CPC refinery. Officials identified the source of the leak as a defect in the underwater pipeline system connected to the Single Point Buoy Mooring.
Upon receiving reports of the spill, the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) immediately launched a coordinated response involving the Sri Lanka Navy, the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, and Lanka Oil Tank Terminals Limited (CPSTL). The Coast Guard deployed its specialized oil spill response vessel, the SLCGS Samaraksha, to the site. Using boom containment systems and skimming equipment, response teams managed to trap the oil slick and recover the majority of the fuel within eight hours of the initial detection.
MEPA officials stated that the rapid containment prevented the oil from spreading to the shoreline or causing harm to marine ecosystems. Initial assessments indicate no adverse impact on fish stocks or the livelihoods of local fishing communities. The recovered oil has since been transported ashore for safe disposal, while samples of the seawater and the spilled crude have been sent for laboratory analysis to ensure no long-term chemical contamination remains.
The Sri Lanka Air Force has also been deployed to assist with ongoing monitoring. Aerial surveillance footage indicates that, based on current sea conditions and wind direction, the remaining thin sheen of oil is drifting away from the Sri Lanka coastline. MEPA confirmed it will continue to monitor the situation closely and issues further updates once the pipeline repairs are completed and safety certifications are granted for unloading to resume.
