MOJ hosts virtual roundtable on MV X-Press Pearl impact and claims

By Asiri Fernando

The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) yesterday (29 June) hosted a virtual roundtable discussion with local stakeholders and several international organisations on appraising the impact of the MV X-Press Pearl maritime disaster and the process of claiming damages.  

According to the MOJ, Justice Minister Ali Sabry had explained to the participants the action taken up-to-date to seek compensation for the damage that occurred from the incident. Minister Sabry had requested the assistance of foreign experts to further the claims process and accurately appraise the short, medium and long-term impact of the incident.  

The need for a ‘maritime disaster management centre’ was highlighted during the discussion.  

State Minister of Urban Development, Coast Conservation Nalaka Godahewa, State Minister of Fisheries Kanchana Wijesekera, UN-affiliated experts and officials from the Ministry of Ports and Shipping, Ministry of Justice, Marine Environment Protection Authority and the Sri Lanka Ports Authority joined the round table discussion.  

The Indian Naval vessel ‘INS Sarvekshak’, in Sri Lanka at the Governments’ request, has mapped 54 submerged objects during a survey in the vicinity of the MV X-Press Pearl wreck, in the sea off Colombo Port, the Indian High Commission said yesterday. 

The Sarvekshak is surveying the wreck site jointly with the Sri Lanka Navy and National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA).