SJB and fisherfolk organizations demand X-Press Pearl to pay $ 6.4 bn to Treasury

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

The main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and two fisherfolk organizations have sent a Letter of Demand urging seven parties including the registered owner of  the X-Press Pearl vessel to take immediate steps to pay $ 6.4 billion to the Treasury of Government of Sri Lanka for the purpose of distributing among the fishermen and other persons affected by the X-Press Pearl Maritime Disaster.  

It has warned that legal action will be instituted locally against seven parties if the money is not paid within a period of seven days.  

Attorney-at-law Sachintha Rodrigo representing his clients Samagi Jana Balawegaya General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Elakanda Sadasarana Rural Fisherfolk Organization, Hendagala Pamunugama Rural Fisherfolk Organization have sent this Letter of Demand against EOS RO Private Limited, the registered owner of X-Press Vessel, Sea Consortium Private Limited (a third-party operator), X-Press Feeders Limited (the ship manager), Sea Consortium Lanka Pvt. Ltd the local agent for Sea Consortium Private Limited, The London Steam-Ship Owners’ Mutual Insurance Association Limited, the insurer, GAC Shipping Ltd and Three Eyes Capital Company Limited.   Mr. Rodrigo said he was instructed by his clients that this demand would apply mutatis mutandis (with things changed that should be changed) to the proprietary rights and interest that have been affected by X-Press Pearl disaster in Sri Lanka. He further said his clients and the entire public of Sri Lanka suffered pecuniary losses and other damages owing to the X-Press Pearl disaster.