HIP Hosts National Oil Spill Contingency Plan Workshop Led by MEPA
HAMBANTOTA, September 20, 2026 — Hambantota International Port (HIP) recently hosted a National Oil Spill Contingency Plan Workshop conducted by the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), bringing together nearly 100 representatives from government agencies, emergency services and private sector organisations to strengthen preparedness for marine oil spill incidents.
The workshop was organised in line with Sri Lanka’s National Oil Spill Contingency Plan, with discussions focusing on coordinated emergency response, institutional responsibilities and the effective mobilisation of resources during marine pollution incidents.
Representatives from the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Sinopec, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Air Force, Sri Lanka Coast Guard and Police participated alongside officials from the Hambantota District Disaster Management Centre, Coast Conservation Department, Central Environmental Authority, District Secretariat, Divisional Secretariats and Provincial Council.
The programme also brought together stakeholders from the Department of Fisheries, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), Ocean University, fisheries harbours, National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Ceylon Electricity Board, Sri Lanka Telecom, Department of Wildlife Conservation, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, HIP and MEPA.
HIPS CEO Wilson Qu said effective emergency preparedness depends on ensuring that all relevant stakeholders understand their responsibilities before an incident occurs.
“An effective response to a marine emergency requires more than equipment. It requires trained people, clear responsibilities and strong coordination across every agency involved,” he said.
He added that bringing stakeholders together through technical sessions and practical demonstrations would help strengthen the collective capacity to respond quickly to marine emergencies while protecting Hambantota’s coastal and marine environment.
The morning programme featured technical presentations by MEPA District Marine Environment Officer Madura Delpachitra, MEPA Manager – Operations Nilantha Piyadasa and MEPA Assistant Manager – Operations Prabhath Amaranayaka. HIPS Senior General Manager Capt. Miyuru Gunasekara also addressed participants on behalf of the port.
The sessions covered the Hambantota District Oil Spill Contingency Plan, operational response procedures and the respective responsibilities of organisations that could be mobilised during an emergency.
Particular attention was given to timely communication and coordinated decision-making, which are critical to containing an oil spill and reducing potential impacts on coastal communities, fisheries and marine ecosystems.
The afternoon programme focused on practical preparedness, including a demonstration of oil spill response equipment at HIP. Participants were briefed on the equipment available at the port, its deployment procedures and HIP’s existing emergency response capabilities.
The workshop provided participating agencies with an opportunity to better understand how regulators, emergency services, infrastructure providers, government institutions and private sector organisations would coordinate their efforts during a marine pollution emergency.
It also strengthened the connection between the district-level response mechanism and Sri Lanka’s broader national oil spill contingency framework.
As a multipurpose port supporting an expanding range of maritime activities, HIP has placed environmental protection, operational safety and emergency preparedness among its key operational priorities.
The workshop forms part of MEPA’s broader efforts to strengthen Sri Lanka’s capacity to respond to marine pollution incidents through coordinated planning, stakeholder engagement, technical knowledge-sharing and practical emergency response training
