‘X-Press Pearl’ and double whammy

by I. P. C. MENDIS

The disastrous end of the vessel X-press Pearl is now a fait accompli. The environmental damage to Sri Lanka is plain to see. The consequential damage elsewhere (real and hypothetical) to marine resources, coral reef, air, eco-system employment, life and property, etc., is in-estimable and is expected to adversely affect generations to come, it is reported.

There is no dearth of opinions increasing by the day. Self-appointed experts, gossip mongers, political opportunists, soothsayers , and all sorts of Know-Alls have taken centre stage.

Freedom of expression, right to information, media freedom, vociferous opinions, half-baked solutIons are now a “free-for -all” in the name of the much “prostituted ‘ democracy, which is much cherished. Such freedoms cannot be of the kind enjoyed by the wild ass. In the normal course of events, such freedom can be in full play. This disaster, of course, is a very special case, where legal proceedings as well as insurance companies get fully involved, finally. In that particular situation, talking out of turn can damage the entire process, prejudicing the claim for damages / compensation. Perhaps, unknowingly or innocently, in the process of loose talk and open discussion, ammunition can be provided to the respondents. There lies the real danger. In a way it can be construed as a matter of national security and in such name, it would be perfectly logical and legitimate to enforce a blanket embargo on post mortems.

Examples – It is furthest from my intention to meddle with a wound already oozing, yet I feel the respondents and their lawyers are as smart or sometimes even smarter than those of the government, and by mentioning certain references I would not be providing ammunition myself. Hence, take for instance, the opinion that we had no expertise in dealing with the calamity and no equipment either, and that we should have invited assistance from India earlier.

Also, in the circumstances of the dangerous cargo (nitric acid), water should not have been used to douse the fire. Additionally, the inclement weather followed by furious storms made the operation virtually impossible, prompting possible arguments relating to “force majeure”, which may afford an escape route for undervaluation. The Captain is reported to have declared he had no knowledge of the leak. In such event, how could our own fire-fighters assume it and desist from using water to douse the fire? This proves how damaging it is to express opinions without verifying facts. To some of our worthies, making political capital is a pastime, Covid included.

Pundits – All these ‘pundits’, who are generally wise after the event, are not helping the cause of Sri Lanka, other than providing ammunition to the respondents and doing enough damage to the cause.

Conspiracy – There are several questions that remain unanswered. On the face of the calamity itself it appears as if the disaster had occurred in the normal course of events. Although it may sound perhaps preposterous or even stupid, it would still be puerile to treat this disaster as one of those unfortunate events, and discount completely any conspiracy to upset and put into disarray the development process and the economy, which policies are not in line with the interests of certain world alignments, also upsetting the political sphere which is not to their liking or their vested interests.

Things can be made to happen unknown to anybody, secretly. It was indeed, so near and yet so close to the Port City project and the economic hub of the country. Whether or how the disaster will affect that project is yet unknown. Adversaries will leave no stone unturned to disrupt – make no mistake! The Port City is on sand filled sea area, and seepage of contaminated water can adversely affect the constructions and other sensitive areas. Over to you, the recently appointed dispensation.