The Sri Lankan government is set to initiate a new investigation into the 2021 X-Press Pearl disaster, as announced by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. This inquiry aims to address the lack of claims submitted by authorities for civil liability costs related to the incident.
The government is expected to receive approximately US$810,696.57 for beach clean-up and debris removal, a sum agreed upon by the vessel’s owner to cover costs from July 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024. However, relevant authorities have yet to submit the necessary claims for these civil liabilities.
The X-Press Pearl, a container ship carrying hazardous materials, caught fire off the Sri Lankan coast on May 20, 2021. The incident resulted in significant pollution, with tons of plastic and other contaminants damaging the country’s coastline and marine ecosystem.
In response, the previous government filed a case in Singapore via the Attorney General’s Department, employing an Australian law firm and six international experts to evaluate environmental damage and economic losses, as well as to pursue civil liability claims.
The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has identified an oil slick covering approximately 0.51 square kilometers around the shipwreck site, which extends 4.3 kilometers in length. While the full extent of the environmental damage remains undetermined, the ship’s insurance company has already compensated the Sri Lankan government with $7.85 million, as reported by the Institute for Policy Studies.
The MEPA has expressed concerns regarding the Attorney General’s Department’s actions related to prosecutions in Singapore, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in addressing the disaster’s aftermath.
