Govt. Analyst’s Department’s Central Information Unit not functioning for four months

By Roshan Thushara

Deputy Solicitor General Madhawa Thennakoon informed court that the Central Information Unit of the Government Analyst’s Department has not been functioning for four months and that it was not possible to obtain any reports.

When the case against the local shipping line and its seven officials in connection with the wreck of the MV X-Press Pearl container ship was taken up before Colombo Additional Magistrate Keminda Perara, the Deputy Solicitor General told court that the construction company restoring the information unit has informed them that it would cost more than Rs. 10 million and take about three more months.

The officials of the shipping company Thuwan Ishan, Amila Sandun, Asantha Lakmal, Roshan Asantha, Nimal Kirildeniya, Leon Kuruppu, and Prasanna Fernando appeared before court when the case was called.

A further progress report on the ongoing investigations was submitted by the Criminal Investigation Department.

The Deputy Solicitor General told court that the email data of the X-Press Pearl vessel had been deleted and that the harbour master had been misguided that the ship was free from any risks by the local shipping agents of the ship in an attempt to seek permission for entry into the harbour and that the ongoing inquiry was against the local shipping company and its officials.