FR seeking to prosecute those responsible for X-Press Pearl disaster fixed for support

On Jul 8, 2021

A Fundamental Rights petition filed by environmental scientist Dr.Ajantha Perera seeking an order to take immediate action to prosecute all those responsible for the X-Press Pearl disaster was yesterday fixed for support by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court Three-Judge-Bench headed by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya fixed the petition for support on August 3.

The petitioner was directed to hand over notices to the respondents. The petitioner also seeking an order directing authorities to secure compensation for the damages to the environment ecosystems following the X-Press Pearl ship disaster.

Dr.Perera is seeking an order directing the authorities to set up a Restoration and Conservation Fund for the environmental degradation due to the pollution caused by the X-Press Pearl vessel.Dr.Perera is seeking an order to allocate not less than 70% of all compensation received, for the restoration the of oceanic environment.The petitioner named the Marine Environment Protection Authority and its Chairman Dharshani Lahandapura, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Urban Development State Minister Nalaka Godahewa and several others as respondents.