Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse Appears Committee: Enquiring Over-Worse Maritime Disasters took place within SL…

Yesterday, August 31, 2023, Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse announced that he had testified before the special investigative committee led by Dr. Ramesh Pathirana and tasked with investigating the September 2020 fire aboard the petroleum carrier MT New Diamond off the east coast of Sri Lanka. And in June of 2021, a devastating fire that devastated the heavy cargo container ship X-Press Pearl in western Sri Lankan territorial waters.

The 14-member investigative committee, according to the minister, is tasked with examining each of the incidents that have occurred and advising authorities and the government on the best course of action to take in order to obtain appropriate compensation for the economic and environmental damages the country has sustained as a result of these incidents. Minister also emphasized the significance of investigating the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA). Specifically in regards to actions performed by the government in response to these disasters.

In order to undermine the legal proceedings against the company that owns the Xpress Pearl cargo vessel, SJB MP Ajith Mannapperuma passed him information in regard to a 250$ million bribery being paid to some high ranking person to people, and Police requested further clarification and information from the MP, which he has yet to provide. A more complete investigation, according to the Minister, is required to establish the credibility of this $250 million bribery claim.

In contrast, the minister confirmed that the amount of 878,000 dollars offered was reimbursement for expenses made by the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA). Furthermore, it excludes damages for claims claimed and requested by Sri Lankan authorities for environmental damages. This was confirmed by former (MEPA) Chairperson Lahadapura. Sri Lanka received $6,754,557.49 in funding for coastal cleanup efforts from May 2021 to January 2022.

Minister also stated that there are credible speculation of secrecy and controversy surrounding the release of the MT New Diamond following the events on Sri Lanka’s eastern coast, because under international law, Sri Lankan authorities could have detained the cargo ship with its crude on board, which is estimated to be worth well over 80 million US dollars. The special investigation committee should examine the exact events that led to the ship being released despite causing massive environmental harm to Sri Lanka’s surrounding marine waters.