Sri Lanka, Sept. 11 -- The oil samples collected in the past two days from the sea area near the ill-fated oil tanker 'MT New Diamond' was sent to the Government Analyst by the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) yesterday. The samples were obtained in the last two days by MEPA researchers.

Navy Spokesman Captain Indika De Silva said the Navy divers assisted the MEPA to collect the samples.

He further said the Navy divers were to inspect the area of the oil patch yesterday but the operation was postponed due to rough seas owing to inclement weather. He said the inspection would be carried out in the coming days. De Silva said chemicals were being sprayed to contain the environmental damage from the oil leakage.Researchers obs...