X-Press Pearl compensation comes under scrutiny as Sajith Premadasa asks Parliament how much has been received and where the funds were credited.
The X-Press Pearl compensation process came under renewed scrutiny in Parliament after Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa questioned how much Sri Lanka has actually received.
Premadasa raised concerns over compensation linked to the 2021 X-Press Pearl maritime disaster, which caused severe damage to Sri Lanka’s marine environment, fishing communities and wider economy.
Making a special statement under Parliamentary Standing Order 27(2), he said the Supreme Court verdict had created the legal basis to recover compensation.
However, he argued that the public still lacks clear and transparent information about how those orders are being implemented and how much money has reached the country.
X-Press Pearl Compensation Payments Questioned
Premadasa asked whether the Government had received the first installment of the USD 1 billion compensation ordered by the Supreme Court.
He also sought details on the steps being taken to recover the entire amount within the timeframes set out in the judgment.
Referring to reports on payments already made, Premadasa said:
“According to reports, only a small amount of around Rs. 300 million has been received so far. This is a very small percentage even of the first installment due. Therefore, the total amount actually received so far, the party that made the payment, details of the official accounts credited, and the amount still due to be received should be presented to Parliament.”
He also asked the Government to explain whether any funds received had been allocated to support fishing communities or restore the damaged marine ecosystem.
The Opposition Leader said Parliament should receive a clear breakdown of what has been collected, who paid it and where the money has been deposited.
Wider Environmental Damage and New Diamond Compensation
Premadasa also questioned whether the Government had assessed the total economic and long-term environmental damage caused by the disaster.
He asked what action had been taken to recover additional compensation beyond the basic amount ordered by the Supreme Court.
The Opposition Leader also raised the separate issue of the MT New Diamond disaster off Sri Lanka’s eastern coast.
He asked for an update on the progress of compensation recovery linked to that incident.
The questions therefore extended beyond the X-Press Pearl compensation case and focused more broadly on how Sri Lanka handles major maritime disasters and financial recovery.
Criminal Investigations and Singapore Legal Proceedings
Premadasa also asked whether criminal investigations and prosecutions ordered by the Supreme Court had been completed.
He requested information on steps taken by the Attorney General’s Department against any parties that failed to comply with relevant orders.
He also asked for a timeline showing when further legal action would be taken.
Particular attention was drawn to the case before the Singapore International Commercial Court.
Premadasa referred to observations made in the Supreme Court ruling and asked the Government to reveal how much Sri Lanka has spent on foreign legal counsel.
He also sought clarification on the future of those legal proceedings and what decisions the Government intends to take.
Compensation Commission and Institutional Reform
The Opposition Leader further questioned the present operational status of the X-Press Pearl Compensation Commission.
He asked what action the Government had taken to address administrative, legal and constitutional concerns contained in reports submitted by the Commission’s Chairman.
Premadasa concluded by stressing the need for institutional and legal reforms to improve Sri Lanka’s response to future maritime disasters.
He highlighted coordination failures and inefficiencies among state institutions as areas requiring urgent attention.
The latest parliamentary intervention has therefore placed renewed pressure on the Government to disclose the exact status of X-Press Pearl compensation, the accounts into which payments were made and how the money is being used.
