• Any irregularity or corruption spotted SLPP Gen Secy. Sagara Kariyawasam adds caveat, takes CID to task for ‘not’ recording statements   

If there has been any irregularity or corruption that involves the MT New Diamond incident and MV X-Press Pearl maritime disaster, President Ranil Wickremesinghe should intervene in order to ensure that the matter is properly investigated, and the truth is uncovered, said Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) General Secretary and MP, Attorney Sagara Kariyawasam.

Various parties have alleged that there have been irregularities behind granting permission to take the MT New Diamond ship out of the Sri Lankan waters, and the filing of the relevant cases seeking compensation for the MV X-Press Pearl disaster. Speaking to The Daily Morning, Kariyawasam said that the SLPP is very concerned about the allegations that have been levelled against certain individuals with regard to the said incidents. "We are very concerned about these matters as a Party. The relevant complaints have already been lodged with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), but we don’t think that even a statement has been recorded from the individuals who are said to be linked with these incidents. The CID should first record statements from such persons and conduct proper investigations."

When queried about the allegations that have been levelled against certain politicians who are or were members of the SLPP with regard to the said incidents, he said that there are those who might commit irregularities and corruption in any political party. "Be it the SLPP or any other political party, there are such individuals. That is why there should be proper investigations. All those who are linked to these irregularities and corruption, if there have been any, should be strictly dealt with. We are of the view that even the President should intervene and ensure that these matters are properly investigated."

Meanwhile, in response to certain allegations that have been levelled against her regarding the two said incidents, the former Chairperson of the Maritime Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), attorney Dharshani Lahandapura said that there was no delay in the preparation of the relevant reports related to the MT New Diamond incident and the MV X-Press Pearl disaster during her tenure, but that there were various disagreements between the related institutions over certain matters. "During my tenure as the MEPA Chairperson, I did not delay the preparation of the relevant reports at all. There are also allegations that I have said that this incident is not something that is serious. Those who make these allegations continue to do so even when I have responded to them. Some have claimed that I influenced MEPA officials to not speak to the media about these matters. I have never done so, and there was no need to do so either. I vehemently reject those allegations," she said while speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday (17). When queried by the media as to whether there had been any political influence with regard to the two said incidents, she said: "There was no political influence as such, but there were certain disagreements between the relevant institutions at the professional level. However, I have always pointed out the correct opinion to everyone including the President."

There has been a lot of discussion about the alleged irregularities related to the above ships related incidents that happened in 2020 and 2021. Various parties allege that there have been irregularities behind granting permission to take the MT New Diamond ship out of the Sri Lankan waters, and the filing of the relevant cases seeking compensation for the MV X-Press Pearl disaster. The recent revelation that a Sri Lankan had accepted a bribe of United States Dollars 250 million in order to scuttle the relevant legal proceedings with regard to the latter case led to more talk about this and even a Parliamentary debate was held over the matter.