X-Press Pearl disaster: Fishing community tells court they have trust in SL judiciary

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

The fishing community has informed the Colombo Commercial High Court that they have trust and confidence in the Judicial system of Sri Lanka, when demanding compensation from the owners, operator and insurer of the vessel M.V. X-Press Pearl and the responsible authorities.  

Counsel Himali Kularatne appearing for the fishing community made these remarks when a civil litigation filed by the fishing community demanding compensation from the perpetrators and authorities for failure to discharge their duties to avoid X-Press Pearl Maritime Disaster came up before Colombo Commercial High Court.   

Seventy (70) fishermen, the office bearers and trustees of the All Ceylon Fisher Folk Trade Union and other respective fisher folk societies filed this civil litigation claiming $ 1.17 billion from respondent parties. The defendant parties are 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) and Sea Consortium Lanka Pvt. Ltd the local agent for the Sea Consortium Private Limited. The plaintiffs are claiming damages caused to them and the members of the trade union island wide by the said vessel and other damages arising out of the M.V. X-Press Pearl and other incidental losses and damages.  

Counsel Himali Kularatne moved Court to issue summons on the defendants citing that their action or inaction had caused losses and damages to the fishing community.   

Taking into consideration the facts, Colombo Commercial High Court Judge Pradeep Hettiarachchi fixed for February 9 to deliver his order regarding the issuance of summons on the defendants.  

In their plaint, the fishermen state that the livelihoods of 20,000 fishing families were impacted as a result of this X-Press Perl marine disaster. In addition, many others whose livelihoods are dependent on allied fishing activities from net manufacturers to boat owners are also affected to varying degrees.  

They alleged that in consequence of the Defendants jointly and several negligence the Plaintiffs and the entire fishing community of Sri Lanka including the Plaintiffs have incurred revenue loss and other damages.  

Seventy (70) fishermen, the office bearers and trustees of the All  Ceylon Fisher Folk Trade Union and other respective fisher folk  societies filed this civil litigation claiming $ 1.17 billion from  respondent parties