Sri Lanka, Dec. 10 -- The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) reports that 143 kilometres of Sri Lanka's coastline has been polluted following severe flooding triggered by Cyclone Ditwah.

MEPA Chairman Samantha Gunasekara said the heavy rains and widespread flooding have caused significant environmental damage along the coast, and restoring the affected areas is expected to require 5,280 man-hours.

The most affected regions include the coastal belts of Colombo, Negombo, Chilaw, Puttalam, Kalpitiya, and several areas in the Eastern Province.

Authorities say debris, waste, and personal belongings washed away during floods and landslides across the island have been carried through river systems and deposited along the coastline...