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Migrant workers who lost valuable goods on the X-Press Pearl appeal to Govt. for compensation
Sri Lankan migrant workers who lost their cargo in the X-Press Pearl disaster addressing a news conference on Friday
Sri Lankan migrant workers who lost goods that were being shipped to Sri Lanka aboard the ill-fated X-Press Pearl are appealing to the Government to provide compensation for the losses sustained.
The workers had bought valuable household items such as furniture, electronics, refrigerators and clothes.
The goods had been shipped to Sri Lanka aboard the X-Press Pearl through a cargo company in Dubai, said Rizwan Nuhumas, president of the ad hoc group formed by those who have lost their goods.
“We paid cargo and shipping charges to the Dubai-based firm to ship our goods aboard the X-Press Pearl. When the ship sank, the Government provided compensation to fishermen who were affected by the disaster. But there has been no relief for us, who have lost all the goods bought with our hard-earned money. No one is even talking about us,” Mr Nuhumas said, at a media briefing held recently in Wattala.
He said the goods were insured, and appealed to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to intervene to ensure justice for them.
“We bought these goods using money earned over many years. We will not be able to earn such money again. We can not bear these losses,” he added.
Another victim, Darshana Perera said it would have been better to have gone down with the X-Press Pearl.
“The cargo company that shipped our goods will not answer our calls. We can not obtain any details of what happened to our goods from the ports authorities. It would be good if someone looks into this matter,” Mr Perera said.