News
X-Press Pearl disaster: Assessment to be completed before January – Justice Minister

By Saman Indrajith
Justice Minister Ali Sabry PC yesterday (11) told Parliament that assessing environmental damage caused by the MV X-Press Pearl disaster would be concluded by the end of this year or early January.
In response to a question raised by JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Justice Minister said that after the said process was concluded steps would be taken to recover compensation from the owners of the vessel.
“We have already received the first interim claim of Rs. 720 million from them and actions have already been taken to get the second interim claim as well. These interim claims are assessed only for the economic damages caused by the disaster such as expenses for cleaning the debris. We have removed 1,650 tonnes of plastic pellets and used more than 3,500 man-days to clean the debris. We will claim separate compensation for environmental damages as well,” Minister Sabry said.
The Justice Minister said that after assessing the environmental damages, steps could be taken to recover the compensation.
Legal actions would be taken against relevant parties if discussions on compensation did not succeed, the Minister said, adding that owners of the vessel had presented a debris recovery plan and agreed to clear the debris in two stages.
Foreign News
Holy month of Ramadan begins for Muslims around the world

Aljazeera reported that the holy month of Ramadan began at sundown on Wednesday, as the faithful prepared for a month of dawn-to-dusk fasting intended to bring them closer to God and to remind them of the suffering of those less fortunate.
For the next 30 days, Muslims will refrain from eating or drinking anything from sunrise to sunset. Many will strictly observe prayers, read the Quran and donate to charity as they seek to draw closer to God. They are also encouraged to refrain from cursing, fighting, gossiping and road rage throughout the holy month.
Muslims believe God began revealing the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad during Ramadan more than 1,400 years ago.
Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and is required for all Muslims, though exceptions are made for young children and the sick, as well as women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating. Travelers are also exempt, including athletes attending tournaments away from home.
News
Sri Lanka will have best anti-corruption law in South Asia soon – President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said during a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat with the heads of media organization on Thursday (23), that necessary steps will be taken to pass the best anti-Corruption Act in South Asia in Parliament soon
The President revealed that cabinet approval for the Bill has already been granted and said that he will discuss it with the Opposition representatives in the future and present it to the Parliament.
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News
Public sector will stop engaging in business and open it to the private sector in the future – President

President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that due to the public sector engaging in business activities, the money that was available for the construction of 100 projects similar to the Mahaweli during the past decades, has been lost and noted that in the future, the public sector will stop engaging in business and open it to the private sector to create a free and productive economy.
President Wickremesinghe mentioned this at the 71st commemoration ceremony of the late Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake at Independence Square on Wednesday (22).
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