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.