Govt. to reopen investigation into MV X-Press Pearl Disaster
- 5opn1
- November 28, 2024
- Political
- Govt. to reopen investigation into MV X-Press Pearl Disaster
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The newly elected government is to undertake fresh investigations into the 2021 MV X-Press Pearl cargo ship disaster, according to Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.
The disaster spread heavy environmental damage to the coasts of Sri Lanka and hit local fishermen very badly, but many questions linger about the handling of the aftermath: alleged corruption, various delays, and insufficient compensation.
The cargo ship, registered in Singapore, caught fire off the coast of Negombo, a popular tourist area, in May 2021. The fire resulted in the spilling of nitric acid and micro plastic granules among other toxic substances into the Indian Ocean.
The environmental consequences had been disastrous, with large-scale deaths of fish, turtles, and marine mammals, coupled with losses to the livelihoods of more than 20,000 fishing families.
The legal and compensatory process has been marred with delays and allegations of corruption.
The e Marine Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) of Sri Lanka, initially sought compensation of US$6.4 billion from the ship’s insurer, London P&I Club, based in the UK.
