A ship, owned by an Indian company, has been taken into custody by Sri Lanka’s Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) for causing an oil spill while anchored at the Colombo Port, it was reported.

According to a MEPA official, compensation was sought for the oil spill under the Marine Environment Protection Authority Act, while the company’s owner has admitted to the incident and agreed to provide compensation.

The official further said legal action had been initiated against the Indian company and the relevant insurance company over the oil spill.

Based on a request by the Colombo Port Police, the Colombo Magistrate Court imposed a travel ban on the ship captain preventing him from leaving the country.

It is reported that a special investigation conducted by MEPA revealed a leak of hydraulic oil from the ship while it was anchored at the Colombo Port for maintenance activities recently.