The Supreme Court today ordered the owning and operating companies of the X-Press Pearl Vessel to pay US $ one billion as compensation for the environmental and economic damage it caused, after the ship sank off the Colombo Port in 2021.
The judgment was delivered by a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court, presided over by Chief Justice Justice Murdu Fernando and consisting Justice Yasantha Kodagoda, Justice Shiran Gooneratne, Justice Achala Wengappuli and Justice Priyantha Fernando.
The incident was described as the worst marine disaster in the Indian ocean.
The judgment also held that the Fundamental Rights of citizens had been violated due to the failure of the state authorities to take timely action.
The judgment also ruled that there was negligence and inaction of state institutions. It als named former State Minister of Urban Development Nalaka Godahewa for failing in his duties to protect the public and environment.
Ajith Gallage, the owner of a Bird Park in Nagarawawa, Hambantota, has been remanded over allegations of concealing illegally imported motorcycles, in a warehouse owned by him.
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