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X-Press Pearl disaster: Owners refuse to abide by SC order
Singapore headquartered X-Press Feeders has refused to abide by Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court order made in July that the company pay an ‘initial’ US$1 billion in damages within a year to Sri Lankan authorities, with the first tranche of US$250 million to be paid by 23 September.
The SC also ordered the company “to make such other and further payments” in the future as the court may direct for causing the country’s worst environmental disaster.
The AFP quoted Chief Executive Shmuel Yoskovitz as having said that the damages wouldn’t be paid for causing Sri Lanka’s worst case of environmental pollution. The AFP, in an exclusive interview, further quoted him as having asserted that paying would have wide-ranging implications on global shipping and set a dangerous precedent.
The company operated the Singapore-registered container ship MV X-Press Pearl that sank off the Colombo Port, in June 2021, following a fire – believed to be caused by a nitric acid leak – that raged for nearly two weeks.
Its cargo included 81 containers of hazardous goods, including acids and lead ingots, and hundreds of tonnes of plastic pellets.
The ship was refused permission by ports in Qatar and India to offload the leaking nitric acid before it arrived in Sri Lankan waters without informing authorities here of the grave hazard it was carrying.
Tonnes of microplastic granules from the ship inundated an 80km stretch of beach along Sri Lanka’s western coast. Fishing was prohibited for months.
Despite its willful negligence in bringing in a dangerous vessel to our waters without any warning, X-Press Feeders Chief Executive Shmuel Yoskovitz has rejected the open-ended nature of the penalty.
“We are not paying because the whole base of maritime trade is based on the limitation of liability. This judgment undermines this limitation of liability.”
“Any payment towards the judgment could set a dangerous precedent for how maritime incidents will be resolved in the future,” he said.
Yoskovitz said the absence of limitations could lead to higher insurance premiums, which would be ultimately passed on to consumers.
The CEO again apologised for the incident, saying the company recognised the disaster and was trying to make amends.
He said X-Press Feeders had already spent US$170 million to remove the wreck, clean up the seabed and beaches, and compensate affected fishermen.
“We are not trying to hide… We are willing to pay more, but it has to be under certain marine conventions and an amount that is full and final, and then it can be settled, and we can move on,” he said.
“But to live under this hanging guillotine – it is simply impossible to operate like this.”
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing on 25 September about the implementation of its decision.
One of the petitioners who sought compensation for the pollution has called for further research to determine the full extent of the damage to the island’s marine ecosystems.
It remains unclear how Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court could enforce its decision.
However, in its 361-page decision, in July, the court ordered police and the state prosecutor to initiate criminal proceedings for non-compliance if the parties were present in Sri Lanka.
Yoskovitz expressed concern over the ship’s Russian captain Vitaly Tyutkalo, who has been banned from leaving Sri Lanka for more than four years, as well as the company’s third-party agents there.
The firm had offered to pay a fine for the skipper’s release, but this was refused, according to Yoskovitz.
X-Press Feeders obtained an order from London’s Admiralty Court in July 2023, limiting its liability to a maximum of £19 million (S$32.9 million), but Sri Lanka has challenged that.
The Sri Lankan government also filed a lawsuit against the ship’s owners in the Singapore International Commercial Court. But that has been stayed pending the result of the case in London, with a pre-trial hearing expected in May 2026.
The Russian circumnavigation team, the 5 Oceans Club, made a brief stop in Sri Lanka as part of their second global sailing expedition.
The six-member crew, visited the Russian House in Colombo, on Friday, (24th April) where they shared insights from their journey.
What makes this expedition particularly inspiring is the club’s commitment to inclusivity. They actively encourage children with limb disabilities to experience the ocean and participate in sailing as equals, fostering confidence and a deep connection with nature.
The team also spoke about a specialized sailing school based in Siberia—one of Russia’s most picturesque regions—where children with such challenges are trained and introduced to maritime life. During the session, they offered a glimpse into their daily life aboard the yacht and highlighted how they integrate elements of science into their explorations, making their journey both adventurous and educational.
The crew consists of, Dmitry Kuznetsov – (captain of the boat of the 5 Oceans Club), Vladimir Dudkin – (crew member), Dmitry Dudkin –(cabin boy), Ksenia Kuznetsova – (cabin boy), Natalia Shahinyan – (founder of the charity foundation “Life on the Move”), Sofia Sheremet -(ward of the foundation)
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 25 April 2026, valid for 26 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-744649
Railway General Manager Ravindra Pathmapriya said on Friday that re-railing operations of the derailed ‘Sagarika’ train have already commenced and that services on the Coastal Line are expected to be restored within two days.
Addressing the media, he said the Minister had instructed officials to take all necessary measures to minimise inconvenience to passengers.
Commenting on the incident, he said: “The damaged train is a significant loss for us, especially as our fleet is already limited. We have incurred this loss and hope to rectify the situation promptly. However, we will need to deploy an alternative train in its place, and discussions are currently underway.”
The ‘Sagarika’ train, operating from Beliatta to Maradana, derailed near the Wadduwa Railway Station on Friday morning (24), causing severe damage to one track of the dual-line section.
The Railway Department has since restricted services on the affected Coastal Line up to Panadura Railway Station.
Arrangements have been made to transport passengers from Panadura to South Kalutara by Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses, from where train services will resume towards Matara and Beliatta.
Meanwhile, the Department said efforts are underway to clear the obstruction and restore at least one track by the end of the day.
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Showers expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts after 2.00 pm.
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
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