News
Decision to file case in Singapore against X-Press Pearl owners raises eyebrows
By Ifham Nizam
The Attorney General’s Department yesterday said action would be filed in Singapore seeking compensation for environmental damages caused by the X-Press Pearl Disaster.
Centre for Environmental Justice Chairman, Attorney-at-Law, Dr. Ravindranath Dabare yesterday said the government authorities had not previously stated that legal action would be filed in Singapore and it was a recent development.
Dabare expressed concern over the AG’s decision and asked why it had been reached in haste and who would provide funds for legal action.
A research conducted by the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) with the help of Professor Padmalal Manage of the Zoology Department of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and the research team from October to December 2021, in 11 locations from the mouth of the Maha Oya estuary to Bentota, and around the X-Press Pearl ship sank, has revealed that there is a very high amount of nitrate in the sea. The amount of chlorophyll A near the shipwreck is very high compared to it in Bentota. The algal growth has increased due to the high levels of nitrate and phosphate released from the ship. There is a high growth of phytoplankton around the ship.
Environmental Scientist Hemantha Withanage said harmful biotoxins had also been found in areas such as Dikowita and Sarakkuwa. Oil and grease were also found around the ship, along with heavy metals such as lead, zinc, copper, and nickel in these samples. Those heavy metals were found in sea snails, shrimps, sardines, and herrings exceeding the level approved for human consumption and the amount of lead found in shrimp was 4.23 µg g-1.
“The CEJ believes that under Sri Lanka law the case to claim compensation has to be filed within two years of the incident, that is before 19 May 2023. We have only 44 days remaining.
If immediate action is not taken within the relevant time frame, Sri Lanka might lose their claim for the estimated 10 billion USD compensation for this incident. That would be a catastrophic failure on the part of the Attorney General’s Department and the Cabinet,” Withanage stressed.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath will represent Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican City, the Ministry said.
The funeral is scheduled for today.
About 50,000 people came to pay their respects to the late Pope on Thursday, the Vatican news service said.
“Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 AM in St. Peter’s Square, marking the beginning of the Novemdiales, an ancient tradition of nine days of mourning and Masses for the repose of the late Pope’s soul,” according to the Vatican news service.
“The Novemdiales Masses will be held each day at 5:00 PM (GMT +2) in St. Peter’s Basilica, except for the Mass on Divine Mercy on Sunday, April 27, which will take place at 10:30 AM in St. Peter’s Square.”
An underworld hitman who attempted to break into a house in the Andiambalama area of Katunayake to kill a businessman was arrested in Rajanganaya by the police and the Special Task Force (STF) on Thursday night after the attempt failed and he escaped by jumping over a wall.
Investigations have revealed that this individual is connected to a number of murders, including the recent killing of a businessman known as “Indikatu Jude” in the Seeduwa area a few weeks ago, as well as several other criminal activities.
Police said that the suspect was responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a man sleeping in a three-wheeler in the Gampaha area and attempting to assassinate another person at the Negombo market.
The suspect arrived in Andiambalama with another underworld assassin to murder a businessman engaged in money lending from his residence.
At the time of the incident, the businessman attempted to close his electric gate. The contract killer and his accomplice tried to shoot the businessman, but their weapon malfunctioned and did not fire. A struggle ensued between the businessman and the two assailants, after which the assailants tried to escape by jumping over the wall of the house as the would-be victim ran into the house.
During the escape, one of the suspects fell from the wall and fractured a bone in his leg. Local residents captured him after assaulting him and handed him over to the police.
The other contract killer managed to flee the scene but was later apprehended in the Rajanganaya area.Investigations are being carried out under the supervision of Negombo Division SSP Ashoka Dharmasena.
By Hemantha Randunu
The Committee of Inquiry investigating IGP T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon over alleged gross abuse of power has formally requested the Acting IGP to nominate a police investigation team to assist its work. The request was made during the Committee’s second meeting, held yesterday (25 April) in the Parliamentary complex.
The Attorney General has appointed Additional Solicitor General (President’s Counsel) Dileepa Peiris, and Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera, to support the Committee’s proceedings.
At the session, the Committee held initial discussions on how to proceed with the investigation and involve key stakeholders. It was agreed that the next meeting will be held on 28 April, 2025, to decide on the next steps.
Fairly heavy rain fall about 75 mm is likely at some places in Central, Uva and Eastern provinces and in Vavuniya and Polonnaruwa districts
Foreign Minister Herath will attend Pope’s funeral today
Underworld hitman who escaped after failing to kill businessman caught
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