Lanka court imposes fine of USD 64,972 on Greek captain of fire-damaged oil tanker

 A Sri Lankan high court on Wednesday ordered Greek captain of an oil tanker, which carried crude oil from Kuwait to India and caught fire off country's eastern Ampara coast, to pay a fine of USD 64,972 after he pleaded guilty to marine environment pollution charge. Panamanian-registered New Diamond was carrying 270,000 metric tonnes of crude oil from Kuwait to India when a boiler explosion in its engine room caused fire on September 3.

Sri Lanka Navy with help from Indian Navy and coast guards doused fire after three days. Two Sri Lankan naval ships, one Indian naval ship and three Indian coast guard vessels were deployed in operations.Last week, Sri Lanka indicted Greek captain for causing oil spill under country’s Marine Pollution Prevention Act.

Captain Sterio Illias pleaded guilty to marine environment pollution charge at Colombo High Court. Accordingly, a fine of Sri Lankan Rs 12 million (USD 64,972) was levied, court officials said.He appeared before court on September 28 for negligence and t putting in place safety measures to prevent fire on board.

captain was barred from leaving country although remand order was served on him in spite of a state request.

tanker had 23 crew members - 18 Filipis and five Greeks. Twenty-two of its 23-member crew had been safely rescued off tanker.