News
SC allows TISL to intervene : X-Press Pearl case
The Supreme Court, on Friday, granted permission for Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) to intervene in Case No. SC/FR 168/2021, which seeks fair compensation for the victims of the X-Press Pearl disaster.
The decision came after a heated legal battle that saw the Attorney General’s office strongly opposing the TISL’s involvement.
Earlier this year, TISL filed an intervention petition in the Supreme Court, aiming to shed light on several critical issues surrounding the X-Press Pearl disaster and the compensation claims. Senior Counsel Senany Dayaratne represented TISL in court, with a team of Attorneys-at-Law, including Lasanthika Hettiarachchi, Sankhitha Gunaratne, Nishadi Wickramasinghe, and Thiru Amirthalingam, under the guidance of Attorney-at-Law Thushari Jayawardena.
On Friday (06), the Supreme Court delivered its order, allowing TISL’s application for intervention. The decision was based on a careful consideration of the totality of the circumstances of the case and the submissions made by both parties. The Attorney General was represented by ASG Nerin Pulle, PC, and DSG Nayomi Kahawita.
Several key points were raised in TISL’s
intervention petition, highlighting the urgency and significance of its involvement in the case:
1. Allegations of Interference and Extraneous Pressure:
TISL expressed grave concerns about allegations of interference and extraneous pressure related to the compensation claim arising from the XPress Pearl disaster. These allegations cast doubt on the integrity of the compensation process and call for a transparent investigation.
2. Justice Minister’s Statement: TISL referenced the statement made by the Justice Minister in Parliament on April 25, 2023. In this statement, it was revealed that one Chamara Gunasekara, also known as Manjusiri Nissanka, had allegedly received a payment of USD 250 million into a private bank account in connection with the XPress Pearl disaster. TISL seeks clarity on the circumstances surrounding this payment.
3. Claims by Chinthaka Waragoda: TISL pointed to media statements made by Chinthaka Waragoda, who reportedly invented a machine to remove debris that washed ashore after the shipwreck. Waragoda alleged that he was offered payment to discontinue the use of his machine, purportedly to prevent the full extent of the damage caused by the disaster from becoming public knowledge. TISL aims to investigate these claims further.
4. Quantum of Compensation: Questions have been raised about the quantum of compensation due to Sri Lanka for the damages caused by the MV XPress Pearl. TISL intends to ensure that a fair and accurate assessment of the compensation owed to the country is conducted, taking into account the full extent of the environmental and economic impact of the disaster.
Members of the South Asian Journalists Forum have gathered at the University of New Delhi for a two day conference themed ‘Peace and Co-operation’.
Journalists from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India are attending the conference hosted by the University of Delhi in collaboration with the India Chapter of SJF, and will deliberate on how the media can act as a catalyst for regional stability and mutual coexsistence.
A tree plantation campaign was also held at the Ghandi Bhawan premises of the University to mark the event and symbolize growing regional ties.
The Sri Lanka delegation is led by President of SJF’s Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi.
The Governor of the of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, along with the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Harsh Sanghvi, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Thursdy [February 05] at the Parliamentary Complex to discuss the arrangements related to the exposition of the Devnimori Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, which have been brought to Sri Lanka under the patronage of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India.
These sacred relics of Lord Buddha were discovered during archaeological excavations conducted in the 1960s at the historic Devnimori site in Gujarat, the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Until now, these relics had never been taken outside India. As a result of discussions held between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Sri Lanka, the people of Sri Lanka have been granted this rare opportunity to venerate these sacred relics.
The exposition of the relics is being held for a period of seven days, from February 05 to February 11, at the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya, Colombo. Discussions were held between both parties regarding the arrangements related to this event.
The discussion was attended by Samar Nanda, Joint Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Culture; Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, Acting High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka; Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation; along with several others.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) GHARIAL made a port call in Colombo for operational turnarounds on 04 Feb 26. The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.
Commanded by Commander Gaurav Tewari, INS GHARIAL is a vessel with a length of 124.8 meters.
During this visit, ten (10) Bailey Bridges, brought by ship, through the coordination of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, will be handed over to the Disaster Management Center. These bridges will provide temporary transportation links while bridges damaged across the island by adverse weather conditions are repaired.
The crew’s itinerary features scheduled goodwill activities with the Sri Lanka Navy, alongside visits to several tourist attractions across the island.
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