The newly elected Government should take strong measures against those responsible for paying compensation to fishermen and their families affected by the X-Press Pearl disaster which occurred three years ago in Sri Lankan waters off the Colombo Harbour.
According to reports, a large number of fisher families in Hendala, Pamunugama, Wattala, Dikovita and Kepungoda were affected by the X-Press Pearl disaster.
The Singapore registered X-Press Pearl suddenly caught fire in the Colombo Harbour with 1,486 containers, including those carrying chemicals.
The investigation into the disaster was conducted by the Fisheries Department, the Environment Ministry, the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) and the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA). The Singaporean insurance company who insured the ship has already paid US$ 4.5 million as compensation to Sri Lanka on three occasions.
The decision to lift the ban on fishing in the affected ocean area was also stopped after considering the health risk due to the chemical substances which leaked into the ocean bed. Speaking to the media, the Fishermen’s Rights Association (FRA) President Jayasiri Wickramarachchi said majority of fisher folk across the country supported the new Government to seek a lasting solution to this matter.
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