X-Press Pearl : Govt to launch new probe

The government will launch fresh investigations into the X-Press Pearl ship disaster that was reported in Sri Lankan waters in May 2021, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Vijitha Herath said. 

Addressing the media today, Minister Herath said the incident had resulted in severe damage to Sri Lanka’s environment and ocean, while the fisheries community had also severely suffered. 

He said the government will launch a probe into the damages caused to Sri Lanka’s environment and ocean, as well as allegations of financial fraud related to the incident. 

Minister Herath said the investigations will take into account previous court cases and reports of previous Parliamentary Committees, one of which he too was appointed a member. 

The vessel, X-Press Pearl, 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 filed a claim in the High Court of Singapore over the X-Press Pearl incident involving six defendants.

In August 2023, the then government announced that the owners of the ship had agreed to compensate by paying a sum of Rs. 301 Million for the environmental damage caused by the fire.