• Says it is the worst maritime disaster experienced by Sri Lanka

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said in Bangladesh that the geographic bounding of the X -press Pearl incident remains unknown, given its developing nature. 

Calling it the worst maritime disaster experienced by Sri Lanka, he said Sri Lanka remains committed to a safe, secure Indian Ocean and sustainable use of its maritime resources. He said it in his  address to the 22nd Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers’ Meeting (COM) on November 24, 2022, In Dhaka, Bangladesh

“Our efforts in addressing massive ocean pollution challenges stem as a result of accidents such as the X-Press Pearl disaster, which unfortunately, disrupted the region on a massive unprecedented scale. The X-Press Pearl incident is the worst maritime disaster that Sri Lanka has confronted in modern times. The vessel was carrying a total of nearly 1,500 containers that included cargo with hazardous substances, in addition to about 325 metric tonnes of fuel on board. The said disaster is now considered as the largest ship disaster involving plastic pellets, hazardous and noxious materials, in the world. The geographic bounding of the incident remains unknown, given its developing nature. A substantial proportion of plastic pellet pollution will remain mobilized in the ocean for decades to come. Modelling studies suggest that the pellets will make landfall across Indian Ocean coastlines.
We have implemented significant number of projects and programmes to ensure that our ocean remains less polluted and clean following this incident, and we have been working with many other countries and international agencies, which deal and address with ocean pollution to lessen the negative impact of this disaster,” he said.