X-Press Pearl disaster Case filed by Fishing community demanding compensation to be heard on July 14

By Lakmal Sooriyagoda   

A case filed by fishing community demanding compensation from the owners, operator and insurer of the vessel MV X-Press Pearl and the responsible authorities in Sri Lanka for failure to discharge their duties to avoid the X-Press Pearl Maritime Disaster has been fixed for July 14 by the Colombo Commercial High Court. 

Eighteen fishermen, the office bearers and trustees of the All Ceylon Fisher Folk Trade Union and other respective fisher folk societies filed this case claiming $ 1.17 billion from respondent parties including 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, for the damages caused to the Plaintiffs and the members of the trade union island wide by the said vessel and other damages arising out of the MV X-Press Pearl and other incidental losses and damages.