News
Environmentalists teaming up to file legal action against X-Press Pearl
By Ifham Nizam and Norman Palihawadane
Environmentalists are teaming up to file legal action against the ill-fated vessel MV X-PRESS PEARL, stressing that the damage is huge and elsewhere authorities had taken action against the ship’s Captain and the crew.
A similar incident had taken place in Indonesia this week and authorities took action against the ship crew, environmental activist Nayanaka Ranwella said.
Ranwella said that the Sri Lanka Ports Authority should release documents with regard to the contents of the vessel without further delay.
“These documents are said to be with the Ports Authority,” he said.
“I believe that the authorities should initiate an investigation after collecting details from the Black Box of the ship,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Criminal Investigations Department yesterday appointed a 10-member team to investigate the ship fire.
The investigation is being conducted by three Chief Inspectors and an Assistant Superintendent on the instructions of the Director and the DIG of the Criminal Investigations Department.
Last week, the Director-General of the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) filed a complaint with the Harbour Police over the environmental destruction caused by the fire onboard the vessel.
Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said the Colombo Harbour Police had presented facts to the Colombo Magistrate’s Court and on the orders of the court, samples had been sent to the Government Analyst.
DIG Rohana also said that they were in the process of seeking Interpol assistance against the ship.
The CID was in the process of recording statements from the Captain and Chief Engineer of the vessel.
In addition, a separate investigation has go underway against the people who violated the quarantine rules by leaving their residences in Pamuuugama, Kochchikade, Negombo, and Dungalpitiya police areas to collect debris from the blazing container ship.
The affected seafront is known for its crabs and jumbo prawns. It is also a popular tourist beach.
“This is probably the worst beach pollution in our history,” said Dharshani Lahandapura, head of Sri Lanka’s Marine Environment and Protection Authority (MEPA).
Hundreds of military and security personnel in hazmat suits are cleaning the beaches of plastic waste and other debris from the ship, which caught fire on May 20.
The impact of the debris has had on mangroves, lagoons and marine wildlife in the region is being assessed.
The jobs of thousands of fishermen are at risk, according to authorities, and the MEPA said a possible oil leak would only add to the devastation.
Much of the ship’s cargo, including 25 tonnes of nitric acid, sodium hydroxide, lubricants and other chemicals, had apparently been destroyed by the fire, officials said.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
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