News
AG led Lankan team holds talks with lawyers, insurers of owners of ‘MV X-Press Pearl’ in S’pore
A nine-member Sri Lankan delegation led by Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam held fruitful talks with lawyers and insurers for the owners of the freight ship ‘MV X-Press Pearl’, which was destroyed in a fire in Sri Lanka’s territorial waters, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said issuing a press statement.
The discussions were held on 18 and 19 July 2023 in Singapore, the PMD said.The meeting was convened in response to a request made by the lawyers representing the ship-owner interests after the Government of Sri Lanka filed a case in Singapore in April, the PMD said.
During these discussions, both parties addressed several critical aspects related to the incident and its aftermath, the PMD said.A key focus of the talks was to assess the outstanding interim claims put forth by the Marine Environment Authority and the Ministry of Fisheries from the Government of Sri Lanka, the PMD said.
The insurers for the ship-owner assured Sri Lanka that the assessment of these claims would be conducted promptly and efficiently, the PMD said.
Sri Lanka’s Attorney General told lawyers and insurers of the ship-owner that the ongoing wreck decommissioning and debris recovery activities within Sri Lankan waters must end quickly, the PMD said.
Those representing the ship-owner’s interests said they are also willing to consider the claims made by the Sri Lankan government concerning the damage caused to the marine environment during further discussions, the statement said.
The PMD said that these discussions will have no bearing on the ongoing legal proceedings initiated by the Government of Sri Lanka in Singapore.
However, the PMD added that the talks mark a significant step in resolving the aftermath of the X-Press Pearl Incident and indicate a cooperative approach by all parties involved.
“As the assessment of outstanding claims and environmental damage claims progresses, both the Sri Lankan government and the ship-owner interests hope to reach a fair resolution that takes into account the environmental impact and the interests of all stakeholders,” the PMD said.
Singapore-flagged X-Press Pearl was destroyed in a fire, 16 kilometers off the coast of Colombo, on 20 May 2021.
The fire was caused by chemicals that were transported on the ship.
This is known as Sri Lanka’s worst maritime disaster to date.
The Originating Claim of the Claims Action on the X-Press Pearl Incident was filed in the General Division of the High Court of Singapore, as the Attorney General of Sri Lanka as the Claimant, on 25 April.
Ratnapura District SJB MP Hesha Withanage yesterday tabled several documents in Parliament to substantiate his allegations against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). He presented an Executive Committee meeting minute, claiming that according to it, payments to IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon had been approved.
The MP said that the SLC Executive Committee had appointed Tennakoon, the then Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Western Province, as an Advisor to the Security Consultant of Sri Lanka Cricket.
The contract, effective from August 16, 2021, included a monthly allowance of Rs. 150,000, 200 litres of fuel per month, a Rs. 5,000 mobile phone allowance, a laptop, a mobile phone, and medical insurance, MP Withanage told Parliament.
The MP tabled the document in the House in response to SLC’s recent denial of his claims. The SLC had previously dismissed allegations that Tennakoon had been paid or provided with perks, calling them baseless and false.
The SLC denial came after Withanage, commencing the Committee Stage budget debate under the Head of Expenditure of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, claimed on Tuesday (18) that IGP Tennakoon had been on the payroll of SLC.
MP Withanage criticised the government, stating it had no intention of preventing the accused group from contesting the upcoming SLC election on 31 March. He also accused the current Sports Minister of supporting a corrupt faction within SLC and announced plans to take legal action over the matter.
“This denial by SLC is irrelevant,” Withanage said. “We have a copy of the report approved by the Executive Committee.”
By Saman Indrajith
Election Commission (EC) Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake yesterday announced that the Local Government (LG) elections would be held on 6 May 2025.The date was revealed during a special media briefing following the conclusion of the submission of nominations for LG polls.
Nominations for 336 LG institutions, which began on 17 March, were officially closed at 12:00 noon yesterday. Additionally, the deadline for placing deposits ended at midnight on 19 March.The EC said 17,296,330 persopns were eligible to vote in this year’s LG elections.
by Ranil Dharmasena
The Sri Lanka Navy conducted a successful shipwreck expedition from 10 to 17 March focusing on historically significant shipwrecks located in the sea area off the coast of Colombo.
The expedition was carried out to document the current state of numerous shipwrecks lying beneath the waves, off Colombo. The survey included the Coal Wreck, Chief Dragon Car Carrier, MV Astoria, MT Nilgiri, Thermopylae Sierra, MV Pecheur Breton, Taprobane East Wreck, SS Worcestershire, Toilet Barge, SS Perseus and some other unidentified wrecks, according to the Navy.
Navy divers explored a series of shipwrecks, including the historically significant SS Worcestershire and SS Perseus, both sunk during World War I. Beyond their historical value, the wrecks of the Chief Dragon Car Carrier and Thermopylae Sierra are now functioning as thriving artificial reefs, providing habitats for a variety of marine species.
A total of 14 diving officers and 15 diving sailors participated in this intensive shipwreck expedition. They used both atmospheric air and nitrox air mix as breathing agents, depending on depth and dive duration. This enhanced safety and efficiency, particularly for deeper and more complex dives.
Showers above 50 mm can be expected at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.
‘Deshabandu is on SLC payroll’; Hesha tables documents
LG polls on 06 May
-
Foreign News6 days agoSearch continues in Dominican Republic for missing student Sudiksha Konanki
-
Sports3 days agoSri Lanka to compete against USA, Jamaica in relay finals
-
Features5 days agoThe Royal-Thomian and its Timeless Charm
-
News6 days agoDPMC unveils brand-new Bajaj three-wheeler
-
Features5 days ago‘Thomia’: Richard Simon’s Masterpiece
-
Latest News7 days agoDebutant Madara, Athapaththu fashion Sri Lanka women’s first T20I win in New Zealand
-
Editorial5 days agoThe gravy train
-
Business3 days agoAffairs of SriLankan Airlines could be turned around using local expertise – former CAA chair