X-Press Perl disaster Cardinal’s Counsel concludes oral submissions before SC

• Proceedings scheduled to resume on November 21, 22, 26, and 27

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

Counsel representing Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, who filed a Fundamental Rights petition related to the X-Press Pearl disaster, concluded his oral submissions yesterday before a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court.  

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), Rev. Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda, and fishermen from Negombo and Chilaw filed Fundamental Rights petitions seeking an order for compensation for fishermen severely affected by the X-Press Pearl disaster.  

The Supreme Court commenced hearings on four Fundamental Rights petitions yesterday before a five-judge bench comprising Justices Murdu Fernando, Yasantha Kodagoda, Shiran Gooneratne, Achala Wengappuli, and Priyantha Fernando. These petitions concern the burning and sinking of the MV X-Press Pearl in Sri Lankan territorial waters in June 2021, the worst maritime disaster in Sri Lanka and the largest recorded plastic spill and pollution incident globally.  

The hearings for these petitions will resume before the same bench on the 21st, 22nd, 26th, and 27th of November.  

The petitioners state that the blazing ship and the chemical spill and plastic pellets have already caused untold, irreversible and irremediable damage to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystem fishing community and pristine beaches, including popular tourist destinations, whose beaches are thickly coated in plastic pellets.   

Counsel Nilshantha Sirimanne with Deshara Goonetilleke and Nelundi Herath appeared for Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith. Counsel Himali Kularatne appeared for Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda and two fishermen. Senior Counsel Ravindranath Dabare appeared for the Centre for Environmental Justice. Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle appeared for the Attorney General.