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X-Press Pearl disaster: SJB demands inquiry to establish accountability

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5 years ago

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… appreciates UN assistance to ascertain damage

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Samagi Jana Balavegaya spokesperson Mujibur Rahman, MP, says the government ought to explain why specific investigation have not been launched to identify the failure on the part of Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and others to ward off the threat posed by X-Press Pearl carrying a leaky container of nitric acid.

Referring to the recent Justice Ministry statement regarding the formation of four committees to inquire into specific issues caused by the destruction of the vessel in Sri Lankan territorial waters North West of the Colombo port, MP Rahman said that controversy surrounded the decision not to examine the SLPA’s response.

Noting that SLPA Chairman Daya Ratnayaka had been named last Friday (18) as the new Secretary to the Industrial Ministry in place of Anusha Palpita ahead of Lanka Phosphate Company coming under Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa brought under Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, MP Rahman said that the handling of X-Press Pearl was questionable.

Former Army Chief Ratnayaka has been replaced by Capt. Nihal Keppetipola as Chairman of SLPA with Upul Jayatissa named new MD.

Lawmaker Rahman emphasized that it would be of pivotal importance to establish whether the SLPA and other state institutions responded to the threat as expected. Asked to explain, MP Rahman pointed out that the Navy owed a plausible clarification why Indian assistance was not sought till the afternoon of June 25, over six hours after an explosion on the ill-fated ship.

According to the MP, Indian High Commission made the revelation in a statement issued ahead of deployment of their assets in support of Sri Lanka. Pointing out that an SLPA team had boarded X-Press Pearl on June 20 afternoon, the day after the vessel dropped anchor outside the Colombo Port, MP Rahman asked the SLPA and Shipping Ministry to explain steps taken to neutralize the threat.

Lawmaker Rahman appreciated the government decision to seek the assistance of the international community to assess the impact on the environment by the X-Press Pearl disaster. A UN team of oil spill and chemical experts, provided by the European Union (EU), is in the country. The team consists of Dr. Stephane Le Floch, Dr. Camille La Croix, and Luigi Alcaro. The team is led by Hassan Partow from UNEPs Resilience to Disasters and Conflicts Global Support Branch (Ecosystems Division).

MP Rahman said that the SLPA and the Shipping Ministry refrained from challenging The Island revelation that the SLPA lacked wherewithal to fight a ship fire. The SLPA had only one fire-fighting tug called Megha and two tugs were leased from Ceylon Shipping Company, MP Rahman said, adding that according to The Island even the X-Press crew was rescued by a tug belonging to the private company.

The lawmaker questioned whether the fire could have been averted if tangible measures were taken to bring the vessel into the harbour and remove the leaking container. Declaring that the incident exposed the pathetic situation at the Colombo harbour though it was considered a major port, MP Rahman suggested that a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) was required to examine the incident. The SJB spokesperson said that Shipping Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena’s response to the X-Press Pearl incident as well as the SLPA failure underscored the need for a no holds barred investigation.

Lawmaker Rahman said that the SJB was closely watching Justice Minister Ali Sabry, PC and Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam handling the incident and the case filed by the Center for Environmental Justice moving the Supreme Court in respect of X-Press Pearl destruction.

MP Rahman alleged that those responsible for ensuring safety and security of ships in Sri Lankan waters obviously failed the country.

Colombo High Court on June 16 granted bail to Sea Consortium Lanka Chairman Arjuna Hettiarachchi arrested by the CID on the same day over the revelation his outfit deliberately withheld information pertaining to the leaking container though being alerted by the skipper of the ill-fated vessel.

SJB MP insisted that a no holds barred investigation was required to establish the truth. Instead of proper inquiry some ministers and officials were engaged in a media circus meant to deceive the public.


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Heat Index at Caution Level in  the  Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the day time

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2 hours ago

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2026/05/5

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 04 May 2026, valid for 05 May 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in  the  Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the day time.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.


Effect of the heat index on the human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

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Maldivian President plants a sapling to mark 60 years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations

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7 hours ago

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2026/05/4

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President of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a State Visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, planted a sapling this afternoon (04) at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Upon arrival at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Children lined both sides of the pathway holding the national flags of the two countries and paid tribute to the visiting Maldivian President.

Among those present at the occasion were Deputy Speaker Rizvi Salih, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and the Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Cally Balthazaar, along with several other dignitaries.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

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Sri Lanka and Maldives strengthen ties with productive bilateral talks

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7 hours ago

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2026/05/4

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Following the bilateral meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives, who is currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, official-level bilateral discussions between the delegations of the two countries were held this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The discussions commenced after the formal welcome ceremony accorded to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu earlier this morning within the Presidential Secretariat premises.

Extending a warm welcome to the Maldivian President, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for accepting the invitation to visit Sri Lanka.

President Dissanayake noted that President Muizzu’s visit, taking place as the two nations mark 61 years of diplomatic relations, reflects the strong partnership, mutual trust and longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The President further expressed confidence that the visit would mark a new phase in bilateral relations.

The two leaders engaged in extensive discussions on ways to further expand and diversify multifaceted cooperation, including economic, cultural and social ties, in a manner that delivers mutual benefits to the people of both countries.

Key areas of focus included tourism promotion, educational cooperation, youth and sports development, challenges faced by both nations in the fisheries sector within the Indian Ocean region, education and vocational training, as well as defence training and broader security cooperation.

Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology, Krishantha Abeysena; Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (covering Europe, North America, East Asia and Oceania, Southeast Asia and Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Legal Affairs) M. R. K. Lenagala, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassan and Director (South Asia and SAARC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mahesha Jayawardena.

The Maldivian delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, Chief of Staff to the President, Abdulla Fayaz, Principal Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations, Mohamed Naseer; Chief Government Spokesperson, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka,Masood Imad; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chief of Protocol , Mohamed Shahudy, Deputy Minister at the President’s Office, Mr Mohamed Hassaan and Minister Counsellor at the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka, Mr. Ismail Mamdhooh.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

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