Marine Environment Protection Authority

What Marine Environment Protection Authority does

Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) is the apex statutory body of the Government of Sri Lanka responsible for preventing, controlling, reducing, and managing pollution of the marine environment. Established in 1991 (renamed from Marine Pollution Prevention Authority in 2009) under the Marine Pollution Prevention Act No. 35 of 2008, MEPA operates under the Ministry of Environment and enforces compliance with the MARPOL Convention across Sri Lanka's territorial waters, maritime zones, foreshore, and coastal areas. Its service portfolio spans regulatory licensing (Oil Spill Contingency Plan approvals, Marine Environment Protection Licenses for offshore exploration, Bunker Licenses, Sea Dumping Permits, Environmental Approvals), waste reception services for ship-generated waste at all commercial ports, and environmental monitoring through its ISO 17025:2017-accredited laboratory in Galle.

MEPA delivers services through 14 regional offices, a Port Office in Colombo, and 84 enforcement units across coastal districts, supported by a 24/7 Operations Room integrated with the IORIS regional information-sharing platform. Its technology stack includes the Ocean Watch web-based mobile application for pollution prevention coordination, the Sea Dumping Permit Management System (SDPMS) for online permit processing, a Waste Reception Service e-portal for ship notifications, and a digital dashboard for the National Oil and HNS Spill Contingency Plan (NOHSCP). Beyond regulation, MEPA runs conservation programs including coral and mangrove ecosystem restoration across 12 districts, a Beach Caretaker program (122 deployed toward a 200-target), and a Blue Flag Beaches initiative targeting 33 certified beaches.

Revenue derives primarily from regulatory fees set under the Marine Pollution Prevention Act: Rs. 51,000 per Oil Spill Contingency Plan approval, Rs. 2,000 for environmental clearance letters, USD 1,000–25,000 for Marine Environment Protection Licenses based on offshore activity type, annual bunker and sea dumping permits, and commercial laboratory testing services. As a government authority, MEPA is funded principally through state budgetary allocations supplemented by partnership funding (e.g., Ministry of Tourism for Blue Flag beaches) and fee income. Its customer base spans oil handling agencies, offshore exploration companies, bunker suppliers, ship owners and agents, coastal hotels, industries, and condominiums in regulated zones.

Name

Marine Environment Protection Authority

Legal name

The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA)

Website

https://mepa.gov.lk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

MEPA is Sri Lanka's apex government statutory authority, established in 1991, that regulates marine environment protection through licensing, permitting, inspections, and oil-spill response across the country's 1,700 km coastline and territorial waters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Regulatory Services

NAICS

Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Hazardous Waste Management (4955)

akta.pro primary industry

Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Permitting & Impact Assessment (EIA/NEPA) (BPAIAMAK), Environmental Compliance & Pollution Response Coordination (TLAHAFAG), Environmental, Spill Prevention & Response Compliance (MARPOL, SOPEP/SMPEP, Waste) (TLAHANAI), Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI)

Keywords

• Marine pollution prevention
• Environmental regulatory services
• Oil spill contingency planning
• Marine waste management
• Coastal zone monitoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Colombo

HQ country

Sri Lanka

HQ region

Asia

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Oil Spill Contingency Plan Approval Fees: Fees charged for reviewing and approving Oil Spill Contingency Plans submitted by oil handling agencies including ports, harbor terminals, ship repair yards, dry docks, pipelines, and storage facilities.
2. Environmental Approval/clearance Letters: Fees for issuing clearance letters for projects in territorial waters, maritime zones, foreshore, or coastal areas. Includes inspection fees for site visits.
3. Marine Environment Protection License Fees: License fees for offshore exploration and exploitation of natural resources including petroleum. Fee structure based on activity type: seismic surveys USD 1,000, drilling USD 10,000 per well, and other development activities USD 25,000.
4. Bunker License Fees: Annual licensing fees for bunker vessels supplying fuel to ships, valid for one calendar year with renewal requirements.
5. Sea Dumping Permit Fees: Annual permits for hotels, industries, and condominiums in coastal zones discharging into the sea, calculated based on annual water consumption and wastewater generation.
6. Waste Reception Service Provider Registration: Annual registration fees for service providers offering waste reception facilities to ships. Fees vary by waste category and port selection per Schedule III of regulations.
7. Laboratory Testing Services: Commercial water quality testing services for seawater, wastewater, swimming pool water, drinking water, and microplastics testing for water, biota and sediment samples.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

MEPA is the apex Sri Lankan government statutory authority mandated to prevent, control, reduce, and manage marine environment pollution across Sri Lanka's territorial waters, maritime zones, foreshore, and coastal areas under the Marine Pollution Prevention Act No. 35 of 2008. It issues regulatory approvals and licenses (oil spill contingency plans, environmental clearances, marine environment protection licenses, bunker licenses, sea dumping permits), provides waste reception services for ship-generated waste, conducts laboratory water quality testing, and operates ecosystem restoration programs. The authority enforces MARPOL Convention compliance and coordinates national oil and HNS spill contingency response through a 24/7 Operations Room.

Product overview

MEPA operates as a government regulatory authority providing a portfolio of interconnected environmental protection services for Sri Lanka's marine environment. The core offering includes regulatory approvals and licensing (Oil Spill Contingency Plan Approvals, Environmental Approvals, Marine Environment Protection License, Bunker License, Sea Dumping Permits) enforced through a 24/7 Operation Room and supported by Laboratory testing services. Environmental programs include Beach Caretakers, Ecosystem Restoration (coral and mangrove), and the Blue Flag Beaches Project. Digital platforms include the Ocean Watch web/mobile application for pollution prevention and the Sea Dumping Permit Management System (SDPMS). Training and awareness services are delivered through MEPA Academy and World Oceans Day programs. The National Water Quality Monitoring Programme and National Oil and HNS Spill Contingency Plan (NOHSCP) with its digital dashboard provide monitoring and emergency response capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ocean Watch: A web-based mobile application for streamlining pollution prevention activities in coastal zones and fishery harbors.

Products and services

• Oil Spill Contingency Plan Approvals Regulatory approval service for oil handling agencies (ports, harbor terminals, ship repair yards, dry docks, pipelines, storage facilities) to develop and implement Oil Spill Contingency Plans under Oil Spill Contingency Plan Regulation No. 35 of 2008. Approval fee Rs. 51,000.00 plus inspection fees.
• Environmental Approvals Approval framework for new development activities in territorial waters, maritime zones, foreshore, and coastal areas to ensure proposed developments do not pose pollution risks to the marine environment. Fee Rs. 2,000.00 plus inspection fees for applicable projects.
• Sea Dumping Permits Online and manual permitting system for hotels, industries, and condominiums in coastal zones requiring sea dumping permits, including inspection, evaluation, and annual permit issuance. Fee calculated based on annual water consumption and wastewater generation.
• Marine Environment Protection License License for offshore exploration and exploitation of natural resources including petroleum under Regulation No. 1 of 2011, valid for two years with requirements for discharge management plan and environmental impact assessment. Application fee USD 100.00; Seismic surveys USD 1,000; Drilling USD 10,000 per well; Other development USD 25,000.
• Bunker License (Marine Environment Protection) Licensing system for regulating bunkering operations within Sri Lankan waters under Bunkering Regulations No. 02 of 2011, ensuring safe practices and preventing oil spills during fuel supply operations. Valid for one calendar year with annual renewal.
• Ocean Watch Application Web-based mobile application for streamlining pollution prevention activities in coastal zones and fishery harbors, featuring beach cleanup coordination, ocean strainer installations, beach stretch management, and public issue reporting.
• Laboratory Services Commercial physical, chemical, and biological testing for seawater, wastewater, swimming pool water, and drinking water; microplastic testing for water, biota, and sediment samples; operating under ISO 17025:2017 Laboratory Management System.
• Waste Reception Service for Ship Generated Waste (WRS) Waste reception facilities for ships at all commercial ports in Sri Lanka under MARPOL 73/78 convention, handling oily waste, sewage, and garbage through registered service providers. Annual registration fees apply based on waste category and port selection.
• MEPA 24/7 Operation Room Round-the-clock monitoring and response center for maritime environmental challenges including waste reception facility monitoring, NOHSCP operations, beach cleanup monitoring, utilizing IORIS (Indian Ocean Regional Information Sharing) communication platform. Hotline 1949.
• National Oil and HNS Spill Contingency Plan (NOHSCP) Comprehensive national plan for managing oil and hazardous noxious substance spills covering preparedness, response, and post-spill recovery operations, with digital dashboard for emergency access.

Quantifiable outcome

• 122 Beach Caretakers deployed covering polluted beaches
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• International Maritime Organization (IMO) - GloFouling PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Sri Lanka is a Lead Partner Country of the IMO's GloFouling Partnership project representing the South Asian region. MEPA established a National Steering Committee for biofouling management activities including the preparation of National Status Report and National Biofouling Management Policy, Strategy and Action Plan.
• Sri Lanka Cricket BoardflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerSri Lanka Cricket Board is MEPA's sustainability partner and sponsor for the Ocean Watch project and web-based application launch. Collaborative partnership for promoting marine environmental awareness through sports platform.
• National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStakeholder in National Water Quality Monitoring Programme for standardized water quality monitoring and pollution management practices across institutions.
• Central Environmental Authority (CEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStakeholder in National Water Quality Monitoring Programme and laboratory registration under CEA for water quality monitoring coordination.
• Industrial Technology Institute (ITI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStakeholder in National Water Quality Monitoring Programme for collaborative water quality assessment.
• IORIS (Indian Ocean Regional Information Sharing)coreTechnology or IntegrationRegional platform used by MEPA Operations Room for real-time sharing of critical maritime information with regional stakeholders and coordinated responses to marine pollution incidents.
• University of Peradeniya - Centre for Environment StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating institution for MEPA Academy training programs focused on marine studies and sustainable resource utilization.
• Ocean University of Sri LankacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating institution for MEPA Academy training programs and World Oceans Day 2025 event participation.
• Mahapola Ports & Maritime AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating institution for MEPA Academy training programs for maritime professionals.
• Department of Samurdhi Development (DoSD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU partnership for Beach Caretaker program. DoSD selects Beach Caretakers from Samurdhi beneficiaries and monitors their performance, while MEPA oversees beach identification and compensation.
• Ministry of Tourism and LandflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry funding development of Blue Flag beaches in Sri Lanka. Directly funding Pasikudah and Arugambay beach development for Blue Flag certification.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA): UK agency enforcing maritime safety, pollution prevention, and seafarer standards. Comparable to MEPA as a national regulator with permitting, inspection, and incident response functions for marine environmental protection.
• Panama Maritime Authority: Panama's national maritime regulator overseeing vessel registration, seafarer standards, and maritime pollution compliance. Comparable to MEPA in scope of regulatory licensing and maritime environmental oversight for a strategic shipping economy.
• Department of Coast Conservation (Sri Lanka): Sri Lankan government department responsible for coastal zone management and conservation. Direct domestic peer overlapping with MEPA on coastal regulation, beach management, and shoreline ecosystem protection.
• Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA): Australian national maritime safety and environmental regulator responsible for marine pollution prevention, vessel inspections, and offshore environmental oversight. Comparable to MEPA in mandate scope (MARPOL enforcement, oil spill response, offshore licensing) but operating in a larger maritime economy.
• National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA): Sri Lankan statutory authority for aquatic resources research and management. Direct domestic peer collaborating with MEPA on the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme and adjacent marine resource responsibilities.
• Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA): Singapore's maritime regulator overseeing port operations, vessel traffic, and marine environmental compliance. Comparable to MEPA in regulating bunkering, vessel waste, and offshore activity in a strategic maritime chokepoint jurisdiction.
• Central Environmental Authority of Sri Lanka (CEA): Sri Lankan statutory authority responsible for environmental protection, including coordination with MEPA under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme. Direct domestic peer sharing regulatory mandate and laboratory registration oversight.

Regional players

• Indian Coast Guard: Indian maritime law enforcement and environmental protection agency operating across the Indian Ocean Region. Regional peer with overlapping mandate for maritime pollution prevention, spill response, and coastal zone enforcement in South Asia.

Others

• International Maritime Organization (IMO): UN specialized agency that sets international maritime safety and pollution prevention standards (including MARPOL). MEPA implements IMO conventions domestically and is a Lead Partner Country in IMO's GloFouling Partnership, making IMO the principal standard-setter and ecosystem partner.

Broad incumbents

• US Coast Guard: US federal agency enforcing maritime law, marine environmental protection, and port safety. Comparable to MEPA on regulatory enforcement and oil spill response but operates at vastly larger scale and scope across multiple jurisdictions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marine-environment-protection-authority

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Marine Environment Protection Authority