Compensation due to Sri Lanka by the company that owned the ill-fated X-Press Pearl cargo ship that caught fire and sank to the bottom of the ocean, has become a topic that this is being widely discussed once again following a statement made by Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.
The X-Press Pearl disaster is considered one of the worst maritime disasters in recent history.
Sri Lanka’s Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has requested the country’s Police Chief to investigate the solicitation of a bribe, while Sri Lankan authorities were in talks to secure compensation for the destruction caused to the Sea of Sri Lanka.
Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said that he was informed that a certain party had solicited a bribe of USD 250 Million and the money had been directed to a bank account in the UK.
A report prepared by the expert committee appointed by the Marine Environment Protection Authority revealed that Sri Lanka must secure USD 6.2 Billion as compensation from the owners of the X-Press Pearl, for the destruction caused to the marine environment in the Sea of Sri Lanka.
The reports to secure compensation were already directed to the Attorney General’s Department, and the Cabinet also gave the green light to file a case against the owners of the X-Press Pearl in Singapore.
However, experts have raised certain concerns with regard to heading to Singapore to file a case to secure compensation.
Attorney (Dr) Dan Malika Gunasekera, a Specialist in Admiralty, Maritime, Shipping and Law of the Sea said if a local court delivers a ruling, Sri Lanka can take action against the Insurance Company of the vessel and can thereafter secure the compensation.
Source: news first