Committee appointed to identify legal provisions related to Maritime Law

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a resolution tabled by the Minister of Ports and the Minister of Justice to appoint a committee of experts to identify legal provisions related to Maritime Law in order to bring it in line with international and domestic requirements. 

The need to develop legal infrastructure in line with the international conventions has been identified, taking into account the international requirements in the formulation of domestic laws and the ratification of international agreements when promoting Sri Lanka as a maritime hub considering the country's strategic location in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the Government Information Department noted. 

It added that a committee to study the said fields had been appointed with the participation of former Supreme Court Judge P.A.Rathnayaka PC and no further action has been taken on the recommendations made by the said committee.

The need to introduce new laws has been confirmed in view of the recent damage caused by the MT
New Diamond and the MV Express Pearl vessels in Sri Lankan waters, it was further said. 

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution tabled by the Minister of Ports and the Minister of Justice to appoint a committee consisting of representatives of the institutions under the chairmanship of Chandana Jayasundera PC to identify new laws that need to be introduced or to amend existing laws and to submit a report with recommendations in that regard based on the report submitted by the previously
appointed committee chaired by P.A Rathnayake PC.