News
USD 250 mn bribery allegation jolts Justice Minister

AG favours Singapore court, compensation claim USD 6.2 bn
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The inordinate delay in initiating legal action against X-Press Feeders, the owners of container carrier X-Press Pearl, which sank off Colombo in early June, 2021 causing a maritime disaster, has taken a new turn with Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC, asking IGP C. D. Wickramaratne to probe an allegation that a certain party involved in the ongoing deliberations received USD 250 mn and the money was sent to an account at a British bank.
The ill-fated vessel carrying 1,486 containers caught fire on May 20, 2021 off Colombo. Its cargo included 25 metric tonnes of nitric acid and as much as 50 bn plastic pellets.
The Justice Minister said so yesterday (12) when The Island asked the latest developments in the wake of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainable Development taking up the issue on 04 April. SJB MP Ajith Mannapperuma chaired the meeting, which was also attended by the Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.
Minister Rajapakse disclosed that he had received a certain foreign bank account number amidst accusations and counter accusations over the support extended to those who represented the interests of X-Press Feeders. He however declined to vouch for the veracity of the claim.
Asked where the government intended to file action in this regard, the Minister said that the Attorney General’s Department was of the view that it should be Singapore. The Minister said that he wouldn’t take a contrary view.
Sanjay Rajaratnam, PC, received appointment as the AG on May 26, 2021 as local and foreign firefighters were struggling to stabilize the vessel.
At the time of the worst maritime disaster in Sri Lankan waters, Ali Sabry, PC, served as the Justice Minister.
The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) during Attorney-at-Law Dharshanee Lahandapura’s tenure as its Chairperson asserted that the case should be filed here as the incident took place within the country’s territorial waters.
Lahandapura’s term ended in early February this year and another lawyer Asela B. Rakewa succeeded her.
Minister Rajapakse said that during his predecessor’s tenure two teams had been tasked with probing the accident. Minister Sabry appointed one comprising three lawyers whereas the then MEPA Chairperson appointed a bigger expert group for the same purpose.
Dr. Rajapakse said that in spite of an assurance from the committee appointed by the MEPA that its report would be submitted by Sept. 23, 2022, it was delivered in January this year.
Those who felt that legal action should be filed here should realise that enforcement of whatever ruling would also be a challenge, the Justice Minister said.
Asked whether there had been an issue with regard to the presence of a group of persons believed to be lawyers representing the interests of X-Press Feeders at the Sectoral Oversight Committee meeting, Dr. Rajapakse said that he had asked the Chair to move them out as he couldn’t under circumstances discuss government plans with the opposing side.
The Oversight Committee shouldn’t have invited them for that particular meeting, the Justice Minister said, adding that the high-profile case remained a heavy burden. During the proceedings, it transpired that nearly two years after the incident, the expert committee tasked with assessing damages to the environment and other damages hadn’t been able to visit the location of the ship disaster. MP Mannapperuma has directed MEEPA and NARA (National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency) to take tangible measures to facilitate the expert panel to visit the site with the assistance of the Navy and Airforce. The MP has pointed out that the failure to do so could be detrimental to Sri Lanka’s case.
The Sectoral Oversight Committee Chairman said so after members of the expert committee appointed by MEPA disclosed that they had been deprived of Navy and Air Force assistance to achieve the set objectives.
Environmentalists have pointed out that it is not advisable to move Singaporean court though the Cabinet-of-Ministers approved the Attorney General’s recommendation in this regard. They want the case to be heard in Colombo.
They pointed out that the second report of the expert committee had recommended that Sri Lanka ask for compensation to the tune of USD 6.2 bn. During Lahandapura’s tenure Sri Lanka received USD 10 mn for clean-up operations and fisheries sector compensation.
A statement issued by Parliament Director Legislative Services / Director Communication (Acting) Janakantha Silva quoted MEPA Chairman Rakewa as having said that the expert committee report had been handed over to the Attorney General. Rakewa said that the AG should go ahead with filing the case.
The AG’s Department representatives assured that action was being taken in this regard. According to the statement dated April 06 issued by parliament on the meeting held on 04 April legal action had to be initiated within 45 days.
News
Secretary to the President meets with heads of the Health sector

A special discussion between Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and the heads of the health sector was held on Tuesday (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.
During the meeting, it was discussed that a committee would be formed to explore possible steps that could be taken through the President’s Fund to reduce the number of patients on long waiting lists for surgeries in government hospitals.
The committee is expected to submit a report on the matter within one month. Based on the findings, appropriate actions will be taken, as indicated by the Secretary to the President.
The discussion highlighted the significant number of patients, including those requiring cardiac, ophthalmic, and paediatric surgeries, who are currently awaiting procedures on long waiting lists at government hospitals.
Attention was also given to the potential support that could be provided by the President’s Fund and other relevant sectors to address the challenges faced by these patients.
Additionally, discussions were held regarding the possibility of conducting surgeries after regular working hours at government hospitals. The challenges faced by doctors and staff were also thoroughly discussed during the meeting.
The discussion was attended by several key officials, including Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Additional Secretary (Public Health Services) Dr. Lakshmi Somathunga, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, along with directors and specialist doctors from major hospitals across the country.
News
Govt. plan to boost revenue with taxes on vehicle imports unrealistic, warns Harsha

By Saman Indrajith
SJB Colombo District MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament yesterday that vehicle imports would be affected by unusually high prices. Commencing the Second Reading debate from the Opposition side, Dr. de Silva said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had, in his Budget speech, projected a substantial portion of tax revenue from vehicle imports. “What is the feasibility of such expectations, given the current price surge,” the MP queried.
“Who can afford to import vehicles at these rates? I do not believe there are enough affluent individuals in Sri Lanka to sustain vehicle imports at these exorbitant prices.”
Providing examples of the dramatic price increase, Dr. de Silva pointed out that a Toyota Raize now cost Rs. 12.2 mn, a Toyota Yaris Rs. 18.5 mn, and a Toyota Prius a staggering Rs. 28.9 mn.
“Someone mentioned that a Toyota Vitz could be available at Rs. 1.4 mn.”
Dr. de Silva said that the government aimed to increase tax revenue by 1.6% of GDP with a significant portion expected from vehicle imports. However, he warned that achieving that target was unrealistic under current circumstances. The government must reassess its reliance on this sector for increasing tax revenue,” he said.
News
SLN receives shallow water multi-beam echo sounder from Australia

Giving a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s hydrographic capabilities, the government of Australia handed over a state-of-the-art Shallow Water Multi-Beam Echo Sounder to the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) during a ceremony held at SLNS Rangalla today (18 Feb 25). The formal ceremony was held under the auspices of the High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, marking new chapter in the discipline of hydrography.
The Australian government provided the Sri Lanka Navy with this Multi Beam Echo Sounder to enhance its hydrographic capabilities. This advanced equipment will enable the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) to conduct precise hydrographic surveys, essential for creating nautical and electronic charts for international use. The device will also facilitate the production of high-precision nautical charts, ensuring safer maritime navigation.
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