By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya 

A special police team has been deployed to record statements from the crew members including the captain of the burnt “MV X-Press Pearl’ subsequent to a complaint lodged by the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) with regards to the environmental damage, the vessel had caused. 

Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said the MEPA had lodged a complaint with the Colombo Harbour Police on May 23 to take legal action against the Captain of the X-Press Pearl ship, which caught fire near the Colombo Harbour and its parent company. 

As such, the Harbour Police has initiated an investigation and the facts have been submitted to the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. 

Accordingly, the Magistrate ordered the Government Analysts Department to obtain samples from goods and seawater. However, statements were not recorded from the crew, since they are under quarantine.  The spokesman said once the quarantine period of the 25 crew members was over; statements will be recorded from them. 

• Once the quarantine period of the 25 crew members was over; statements will be recorded 
• from them