Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has revealed that the new government intends to launch an investigation into the Express Pearl maritime disaster, which caused significant environmental and economic damage to Sri Lanka.
The Express Pearl, a Singapore-registered cargo ship, caught fire off the coast of Negombo in May 2021. The incident was triggered by a leak of citric acid from a container on board, resulting in a devastating blaze.
The fire inflicted severe environmental harm, including the death of a vast number of marine organisms, destruction of ecosystems, and disruption to the livelihoods of fishermen. Recognizing the scale of the damage, an expert committee appointed by the Marine Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) assessed that $6.4 billion in compensation should be sought from the shipping company responsible.
Despite this evaluation, Sri Lanka has only received $12.5 million in compensation to date, with a significant portion of it reportedly paid in local currency. Concerns have been raised about potential financial irregularities in the acceptance and handling of this partial compensation.
Adding to the controversy, legal experts have criticized the decision to file the case in a Singapore court rather than in Sri Lanka, where the disaster took place. The case was initiated two years after the incident, further complicating efforts to secure justice.
The government’s investigation aims to address these issues, ensure accountability, and seek appropriate compensation for the damages caused by the Express Pearl disaster.
