News
AG led Lankan team holds talks with lawyers, insurers of owners of ‘MV X-Press Pearl’ in S’pore
A nine-member Sri Lankan delegation led by Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam held fruitful talks with lawyers and insurers for the owners of the freight ship ‘MV X-Press Pearl’, which was destroyed in a fire in Sri Lanka’s territorial waters, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said issuing a press statement.
The discussions were held on 18 and 19 July 2023 in Singapore, the PMD said.The meeting was convened in response to a request made by the lawyers representing the ship-owner interests after the Government of Sri Lanka filed a case in Singapore in April, the PMD said.
During these discussions, both parties addressed several critical aspects related to the incident and its aftermath, the PMD said.A key focus of the talks was to assess the outstanding interim claims put forth by the Marine Environment Authority and the Ministry of Fisheries from the Government of Sri Lanka, the PMD said.
The insurers for the ship-owner assured Sri Lanka that the assessment of these claims would be conducted promptly and efficiently, the PMD said.
Sri Lanka’s Attorney General told lawyers and insurers of the ship-owner that the ongoing wreck decommissioning and debris recovery activities within Sri Lankan waters must end quickly, the PMD said.
Those representing the ship-owner’s interests said they are also willing to consider the claims made by the Sri Lankan government concerning the damage caused to the marine environment during further discussions, the statement said.
The PMD said that these discussions will have no bearing on the ongoing legal proceedings initiated by the Government of Sri Lanka in Singapore.
However, the PMD added that the talks mark a significant step in resolving the aftermath of the X-Press Pearl Incident and indicate a cooperative approach by all parties involved.
“As the assessment of outstanding claims and environmental damage claims progresses, both the Sri Lankan government and the ship-owner interests hope to reach a fair resolution that takes into account the environmental impact and the interests of all stakeholders,” the PMD said.
Singapore-flagged X-Press Pearl was destroyed in a fire, 16 kilometers off the coast of Colombo, on 20 May 2021.
The fire was caused by chemicals that were transported on the ship.
This is known as Sri Lanka’s worst maritime disaster to date.
The Originating Claim of the Claims Action on the X-Press Pearl Incident was filed in the General Division of the High Court of Singapore, as the Attorney General of Sri Lanka as the Claimant, on 25 April.
The Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, paid a solemn visit to the Embassy of the Vatican in Colombo today (25) to offer condolences on behalf of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka on the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis.
During the visit, Dr. Amarasuriya signed the book of condolence, expressing deep sorrow over the demise of the beloved spiritual leader and extending heartfelt sympathies to the Catholic community both in Sri Lanka and around the world:
The Prime Minister was received by the Archbishop Brian N. Udaigwe, Apostolic Nuncio of the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican Embassy in Colombo and other officials.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
President Anura Kumara Disanayake conducted an inspection tour of Kandy city on Thursday (24) night to inspect the progress of the “Siri Dalada Wandanawa” and the related issues that have emerged.
The President held an urgent meeting with relevant officials to address the issues related to sanitation facilities for devotees visiting Kandy to venerate the sacred tooth relic
Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lalkantha, Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa Nilanga Dela Bandara , Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Governor of the Central Province Prof. Sarath Abeykoon, Kandy District Secretary Indika Udawatte and others participated in this meeting.
[PMD]
A Sri Lankan delegation met with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer on the 22nd of April, 2025 at the US Trade Representative Office in Washington D.C.
The Sri Lankan delegation, on the instructions of President Disanayaka, who is also the Minister of Finance, handed over the originals of communications addressed to US Trade Representative Ambassador Greer
The delegation updated Ambassador Greer on the challenges that Sri Lanka has faced in the past and the steps that are being taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to overcome future challenges and move towards full economic recovery. The delegation also highlighted the prompt and positive commitment of the Government of Sri Lanka to work with the US Government in reducing the trade deficit, and lowering tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Ambassador Greer acknowledged the proposals made by the Sri Lankan government and expressed hope that an agreement can be reached soon between the two countries to ensure fair and equitable trade relations.
Later on that day, the Sri Lankan delegation met with the USTR delegation appointed by Ambassador Greer lead by Assistant United States Trade Representative, In-charge of South and Central Asia, Brendan Lynch along with Director In-charge of South Asia, Emily Ashby to discuss further the appeal made in writing by Sri Lanka to the US. The two sides agreed to continue the discussions with the objective of finalizing a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries. Both sides expressed the desire to finalize the agreement in the shortest possible time period.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. The head of USTR is the U.S. Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the president’s principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade issues.
[PMD]
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