Marine Pollution Prevention Act 1981 (No. 59 of 1981).

The Act (37 sections) provides for the prevention, reduction and control of pollution in Sri Lanka waters and gives effect to international conventions for the prevention of pollution of the sea. It provides for the establishment of the Marine Pollution Prevention Authority (Part I), criminal and civil liability (II, III), preventive measures against pollution (IV), reception facilities and equipment in ships (V), maritime casualties (VI), implementation of international conventions (VII), and miscellaneous provisions (VIII).
The Act establishes the Marine Pollution Prevention Authority to administer the Act (sect. 2, sub 3). Part II and III define the criminal and civil liabilities in case of a pollution accident, and contain the obligation to be compulsorilly insured when carrying a cargo of more than two thousand metric tonnes. The preventive measures taken against pollution include the obligation to carry record books relating to oil and other pollutants, the restriction of hours when oil may be transferred from one ship to another and the duty to report any oil or other pollutant that escapes or is discharged or spilled in Sri Lanka waters.