The Commercial High Court in Colombo which issued a warrant last week to arrest the MV X-Pearl wreckage, has now dismissed the order when the case was taken up yesterday (13). The decision was made after the Marine Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) pointed out that the vessel was not in a state for seizure. The case was filed by a private cargo company requesting compensation and interest for the goods lost in the disaster. During the proceedings, MEPA intervened in the case and made submissions stating that the vessel is not in a state to be arrested. The MEPA also showed images of the current state of the MV X-Press Pearl. Upon consideration, the court ordered for the arrest warrant to be dismissed. "The responsibility of the ship comes under the Director General of Merchant Shipping once the vessel is seized. The DG of Merchant Shipping, along with the Sri Lankan Government is then responsible if any environmental pollution that occurs from the ship," said Dharshini Lahandapura, Chairperson of the MEPA. Furthermore, Lahandapura mentions that if any environmental damage does occur, this was not a situation that is beneficial to either the DG of Merchant Shipping or the Sri Lankan Government. "The main reason why the removal of the wreck has been delayed is due to the rough seas. We will be able to deploy divers by the end of October or early November for an inspection. We believe that by that time we would be able to tow away the wreck from Sri Lankan waters. Ship owners have called for tenders for this purpose and was concluded on the 21st of September. Eight companies have already applied, and the salvor will be announced on the 15th of October," Lahandapura concluded.