News
Ecological disaster caused by MV X-Press Pearl takes its toll on marine life
By Ifham Nizam
The Department of Wildlife Conservation, and environmentalists yesterday expressed concern about the increasing deaths of marine species following the ecological disaster caused by the Singapore-flagged MV X-Press Pearl along the South Western coast.
The fire-ravaged partly sunken vessel released its hazardous chemical cargo into the vulnerable sea bed off the Colombo port.
A senior scientist expressed concern about the endangered Dugongs or sea cows.
Dugong is restricted to sea grass habitats.
Studies indicate that sea grass is disappearing at an alarming rate of 110 square kilo meters per year, largely, due to human activities, and increased acidic levels due to chemical spill from the stricken ship, would cause further problems.
More than 15 turtles, a couple of dolphin, a number of seabirds, and several fish species have been washed ashore dead following the fire that broke out aboard the vessel.
The Wildlife Conservation Department said it was conducting investigations to ascertain what had caused the deaths of the sea creatures.
Under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance, all sea turtles and their shells, eggs etc., are fully protected. Therefore, their carcasses were sent to the Government Analyst to conduct further investigations, on a court order.
The turtles were found washed ashore at Uswetakeiyawa, Panadura, Unawatuna, Wellawatte, Moratuwa and Induruwa beaches. Two turtles found with injuries had been found on the Unawatuna beach, the Department said.
Most of the turtles found dead on the beaches off Panadura and Wellawatte had their carapaces broken. One dead turtle at the Unawatuna beach had suffered injury.
A senior marine scientist said, “We have recommend that when the Attorney General’s Department take up the issue of compensation.:
The Marine Environment Protection Authority said it had already sought compensation from the company that owns the ‘X-Press Pearl’ container carrier for the economic damages caused by its fire.
Chairperson of MEPA Attorney-at-Law Dharshani Lahandapura, on Sunday, said that compensation had been sought through the Attorney General.
Besides, compensation for the environmental damage caused by the fire is also expected to be sought from the company, she added.
About 40 containers that fell into the sea from the vessel and their toxic contents released into the environment have been removed so far, she said.
As per the provisions of section 51 of the Public Finance Managaement Act No. 44 of 2024, the public should be issued with a report on the final budgetary situation for each year and, the report is then published in the official website of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
Thereby the report has to be submitted to the Parliament. The final budgetary situation report (Annual Report) – 2025 has been prepared by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and published. The report contains the Public Finance Policy, strategies and challenges, economic trends in 2025, macro – economic and socio – economic indicators covering all sectors of the economy as well as description on the global economic growth.
Furthermore, it accompanies a detailed description government revenue and expenditure, cash flow management, financing the budget deficit and the loan structure.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to submit the Report on the Final Budgetary Condition (Annual Report) – 2025 to Parliament.
Business
Cabinet nod to accept increased Loan Grant provided by the Asian Development Bank under Policy Based Loan Facilities – 2026
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 16.03.2026 to obtain United States Dollars 380 million from the policy – based loan facilities of the Asian Development Bank in the year 2026.
United States Dollars 100 million out of it is allocated for Trade, Investment and Industries Development Programme – Sub Programme 1. However, amidst the economic uncertainty resulting from the current Middle East crisis and the climatic tragedies, the Asian Development Bank has agreed to assist
by increasing a supplementary financing package of United States Dollars 100 million so that it will beMincreased up to United States Dollars 200 million.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to take further measures to obtain the said loan grant.
News
Submission of Revenue Protection Order Prepared under the Provisions of the Revenue Protection Act No. 19 of 1962 to the Parliament for its approval.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was given at the meeting held on 23.02.2026 to impose the custom import duty amounts under four (04) categories as 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% which had been executed only under three (03) categories in order to increase the target export income of the country, to execute the
recommendations of the national customs duty policies committee, and to implement new national sub division customs codes for promoting the local agricultural and industrial sector.
Imposing provisions in relation to the above, the Revenue Protection Order – No. 01/2026 under the Revenue Protection Act No. 19 of 1962 has been published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2478/03 of 03.03.2026.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to submit the said revenue protection order to Parliament for its concurrence.
Report on the Final Budgetary Condition (Annual Report) – 2025 submited to parliament
Cabinet nod to accept increased Loan Grant provided by the Asian Development Bank under Policy Based Loan Facilities – 2026
Submission of Revenue Protection Order Prepared under the Provisions of the Revenue Protection Act No. 19 of 1962 to the Parliament for its approval.
Resettlement of unauthorized settlers affected by the Land Acquisition process for the implementation of Phase III of the Baseline Road Extension Project
Cabinet approves project to modernize school hostel facilities during the 2026–2028 period at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,008 million
New National Action Plan for Human-Elephant Conflict Management to be drafted
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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