• Denies there is any delay in process as alleged 
• Says AG’s Department officers are more than competent to handle case 
• Assures lawsuit will be passed before statute of limitations has passed

Justice, Prison Affairs, and Constitutional Reforms Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has assured that the prosecution process to obtain compensation for the damage caused by the X-Press Pearl disaster will be expedited and completed within the stipulated time period. 

Justice Minister...

Responding to queries posed by the media at an event yesterday the Minister denied allegations that there was a delay in the process. Rajapakshe said he intervened and took necessary steps to speed up the process after noticing the work being carried out at a slow pace. The Minister said the report by a team of 40 experts containing their compensation assessment related to the damage was to be submitted by 23 September 2022 but it was only submitted in January this year. “The report has now been referred to the Attorney General’s Department,” he said. 

According to Rajapakshe, prosecution to obtain compensation is being carried out together with the Attorney General’s Department and the foreign law firms dealing with this matter internationally. The Minister also revealed that the Ministry had received complaints that certain officials have accepted bribes. “The law will be enforced against any person who has accepted bribes. Police investigations have commenced to identify names, bank accounts, locations and other information of those people,” he said. 

The Justice Minister said Sri Lanka would not face any issues obtaining compensation as the lawsuit will be filed before the statute of limitations has passed. “The competent officers of the Attorney General’s Department have dealt with more serious cases than this,” the Minister said. 

X-Press Pearl claim remains sunk in uncertainty, corruption: Eran