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CIABOC urged to investigate Justice Minister’s allegation
USD 250 Mn X-Press Pearl ‘bribe’:
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Environmentalist Dr. Ajantha Perera has lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) regarding an alleged USD 250 Mn payoff meant to undermine Sri Lanka’s efforts to obtain maximum possible compensation for the unprecedented damages caused by the X-Press Pearl ship disaster, in May/June 2021, off Colombo port.
Dr. Perera told The Island that her complaint was based on Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse’s disclosure that he had asked IGP C.D. Wickremaratne to launch a probe based on information that someone who could influence the litigation process had received USD 250 Mn and the money had been sent to an account in a UK bank.
“The recipient of that staggering amount of money must be a relative of the one who could influence the ongoing investigations,” Dr. Perera said.
Appearing on social media platform ‘Truth with Chamuditha,’ in the wake of ‘USD 250 Mn bribery allegation jolts Justice Minister,’ in the April 13 edition of The Island, Dr. Perera discussed how the powers that be undermined Sri Lanka’s case for sufficient compensation for irrevocable damages, particularly to the environment and marine life. The civil society activist called for wider investigation into the X-Press Pearl disaster and the accidental fire onboard MT New Diamond, in early September, 2020, off the Eastern coast.
Responding to another query, Dr. Perera said that a case filed by her in the Supreme Court, in respect of the X-Press Pearl disaster, was pending as the country struggled to meet the May 20 deadline to move court in Colombo, in this regard. Acknowledging that the Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC, has obtained the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers to file action in Singapore, Dr. Perera, however, emphasized that Colombo courts should be moved instead.
Dr. Perera said that she was among those who had received invitations from the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainable Development to participate in the proceedings on o4th April, in Parliament.
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ajith Mannaperuma chairs the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainable Development.
Dr. Perera questioned the conduct of the MEPA (Marine Environment Protection Authority) with regards to the handling of the MT New Diamond and X-Press Pearl disasters during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidency. Unfortunately, in spite of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ouster in last July, the situation remains the same, Dr. Perera alleged, adding that there couldn’t be a better example than the handling of the X-Press Pearl disaster.
Dr. Perera said the government owed an explanation with regard to the conduct of the local agent of X-Press Pearl as well as the Harbour Master. It has been revealed in court that the vessel’s local agent, Sea Consortium Lanka of Setmil Group, suppressed information about the acid leak aboard the ill-fated vessel. Investigations have revealed that the Presidential Award winner Sea Consortium Lanka deleted specific information received from the vessel pertaining to the leaking container carrying acid and withheld that information.
Dr. Perera said that she also intended to complain to the Human Rights Commission. Pointing out that Sri Lanka estimated compensation at USD 6.4 bn, Dr. Perera said that the actual damages were much higher and could be in the region of USD 50 bn. “We are aware of a legal action filed in a UK court. That action was meant to deprive Sri Lanka of sufficient compensation. Let us hope the Justice Ministry and Sri Lankan High Commission in London inquire into this matter,” Dr. Perera said.
Paying off USD 250 Mn to sabotage Sri Lanka case was much cheaper than paying billions of USD in compensation, Dr. Perera said. It would be the responsibility of the government to identify who allowed the vessel, carrying deadly leaking cargo, into Sri Lankan waters, after two ports turned it away.
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Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya
The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya for the next 24 hours commencing at 1200hrs today [08]
Accordingly
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy District, Wilgamuwa in the Matale District, and Nildandahinna and Walapane in the Nuwara Eliya District.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Meegahakiwula, Welimada, Kandaketiya, Lunugala, Badulla, Passara, Uva Paranagama and Hali_Ela in the Badulla District, Ambanganga Korale in the Matale District, and Mathurata and Hanguranketha in the Nuwara Eliya District.
Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area.
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, Department of Meteorology at 10.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 for the period until 10.30 a.m. 09 January 2026
The depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka has intensified into a deep depression and is centered near latitude 5.4°N and longitude 85.3°E, about 420 km southeast of Pottuvil at 05.30 a.m. today (08th). The above system is currently (10:00 a.m.) located about 300 km southeast of Pottuvil.
It is very likely to move west-northwestwards across the southwest Bay of Bengal and cross the Sri Lanka coast between Hambantota and Kalmunai between 5.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. on Friday [9th January 2026].
Hence, showery, and windy condition over the island, particularly in the Northern, NorthCentral, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces is expected to enhance from today (08th).
For the Land area:
DAMAGE EXPECTED:
• Damage to huts, temporary shelters and light structures
• Destroy the roof tops/ sheets etc.
• Damage to power and communication lines.
• Breaking of tree branches and uprooting of large avenue trees.
• Damage to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards.
• Damage to harbor yachts
• Flash flood
• Sea water inundation in low lying areas in the near coast.
Action suggested for the Land area:
• Coastal hutment dwellers are advised to move to safer places. Other people in the affected areas to remain indoors.
• People living in hilly areas (particularly landslide prone areas) and low lying areas in river basins are requested to be vigilant.
• Drivers and people using roads in the hilly areas are requested to be vigilant.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• General public is requested to be vigilant regarding impending extreme weather situation.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
• Requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.
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Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and showers about 50-75 mm in other areas
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 08 JANUARY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 by the Department of Meteorology
The depression over the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka, was centered near latitude 5.3°N and longitude 86.0°E, about 490 km southeast of Pottuvil, at 11:30 p.m. yesterday (07). It is expected to move west-northwestwards and towards the eastern coast of the island during next 24 hours. This system is likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours.
Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere in the Island after 1.00 p.m. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces. Fairly Heavy showers about (50 – 75) mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island.
Strong winds about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over the Eastern slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
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