Cleaning up operations of the debris from the burning ship MV Xpress Pearl is continuing for the 6th day today, the Marine Environment Protection Agency said.

It said members of the AirForce, Navy, Army and pther relevan authorities had identified 14 high priority areas to be cleanup first and steady progress is being made.

This is the worst ever marine disaster Sri Lanka has faced, as the MV X-press Pearl, carrying over 25 tonnes of nitrics acid and other items including plastic pellets caught fire outside the Colombo Harbour.

The damage is still being assessed by local athorities but experts expect the damage to marine life and the ensvironment to be extensive.