A Sri Lankan delegation, led by the Attorney General, has held fruitful talks with stakeholders of the X-Press Pearl ship that caught fire off the coast of Colombo in May 2021.
According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the Sri Lankan delegation held discussions with the X-Press Pearl ship-owner interests’ lawyers and insurers in Singapore on July 18-19.
The PMD further stated that the discussion focused on addressing key aspects of the incident’s aftermath.
Progress has also been made on assessing claims and wreck recovery, while discussions are to continue on the matter, it added.
Sri Lanka is in the midst of seeking compensation for the massive environmental impact on the coastal line caused as a result of the ship disaster.
The vessel which was transporting hazardous chemicals caught fire off the coast of Colombo in May 2021, resulting in a number of its cargo toppling into the sea.
Various cargo, including chemicals, and plastic pellets washed ashore along the Western Province coastal belt causing a massive environmental impact on the coastal line.
In May 2023, the Attorney General (AG) filed a claim in the High Court of Singapore over the X-Press Pearl incident involving six defendants.
It was reported at the time that the AG’s Department is considering transferring the case to the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) based on its rules and litigation is being managed by a Singaporean law firm approved by the Cabinet to represent the Sri Lankan Government. (NewsWire)