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Utilisation of X-Press Pearl compensation: Rs. 300 m of interim claim for locating containers

12 Jul 2021

  • Rs. 420 m compensation for fishers
BY Pamodi Waravita The $ 3.6 million (Rs. 720 million) of the initial interim claim of $ 40 million received by the Government of Sri Lanka for the MV X-Press Pearl maritime disaster would be spent on locating the remaining sunken containers from the ship and compensating the fisheries sector. In a statement issued yesterday (12), the Ministry of Justice noted that Rs. 420 million of the Rs. 720 million would be given to those directly affected by the disaster in the fisheries industry. State Minister of Ornamental Fish, Inland Fish and Prawn Farming, Fishery Harbour Development, Multi-Day Fishing Activities, and Fish Exports Kanchana Wijesekera said in a media statement that the State Ministry had advised the Colombo, Kalutara, and Gampaha District Secretaries to convene local committees – including officials from the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, officials from local government bodies, and representatives from the Catholic Church – to give the confirmed names of the fisherfolk in need of compensation. Accordingly, the compensation process began yesterday, where money was to be deposited in the respective bank accounts of the identified fisherfolk. Meanwhile, assistance has been sought from the Indian Navy to locate the sunken containers of the ship, although the bad weather conditions which prevailed during the past few days had hindered the process. Furthermore, Minister of Justice Ali Sabry stated that cabinet approval would be obtained to seek help from an international law firm with regard to the remaining compensation due to the country. The Protection and Indemnity Insurance (P&I) Club of the MV X-Press Pearl vessel has agreed to pay approximately $ 3.6 million of the initial interim claim of $ 40 million, covering the costs incurred in the period from 23 May to 3 June. Minister of Ports and Shipping Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Wijesekera, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam PC, and Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) Chairperson Dharshani Lahandapura had been present at the meeting.


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