• Legal Division to consult expert group and prepare related proposals 

The Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources has directed its Legal Division to prepare proposals for amendments to maritime and coastal laws, following the recent Supreme Court (SC) ruling on the MV X-Press Pearl disaster.

A meeting on the matter was held recently at the ministry. Speaking to The Daily Morning about its outcome, Deputy Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic, and Ocean Resources, Rathna Gamage said: “During the meeting, we instructed our Legal Division to first consult with a group of experts. After that, they will prepare a set of proposals on what laws should be amended and how it should be done.”

The meeting followed the SC’s order directing the relevant parties responsible for the MV X-Press Pearl to pay $ 1 billion in compensation – the highest amount ever awarded in a fundamental rights (FR) case in Sri Lanka.

The MV X-Press Pearl caught fire on 20 May 2021 and burned for nearly two weeks before sinking on 2 June as it was being towed to deeper waters. Carrying chemicals and plastic pellets, it caused severe pollution along Sri Lanka’s Western coastline, inflicting heavy damage on marine life and the livelihoods of thousands of fisher-folk.