MOHAMMED RASOOLDEEN
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka will seek the consultancy of an international law firm to file the legal claims against the damage caused to Sri Lanka due to the fire onboard the ‘X-Press Pearl’ vessel, Justice Minister Ali Sabry announced here on Monday.
He was addressing the press following the weekly review meeting on the aftermath of the ill-fated vessel which has already sunk in Sri Lankan waters.
On an invitation from the Minister of Ports and Shipping Rohitha Abeygunwardena, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa also was present at the discussions and attended the press briefing too.
The minister said that since the government is dealing with an international insurance company, it is imperative that Sri Lankan should be guided by an international law firm. “ We will consult the Attorney General and seek cabinet approval to implement the decision of consulting such a legal entity ,” Sabry added.
The minister said the government has started paying a part of the compensation to the fishermen from Monday,July 12, and the Indian Navy has been assisting Lanka in locating the containers of the sunken ship in the sea, but the prevailing inclement weather is delaying the process the minister said.
Sabry pointed out that the Central Bank has so far received Rs. 720 million in compensation for the damage, and on the instructions of the President, about Rs. 420 million has been allocated to compensate the fishing community.
During the discussions , Attorney General Sanjaya Rajaratnam, Chairperson of the Marine Environment Protection Authority Dharshani Lahandapura President ‘s Counsel Chandaka Jayasundara also addressed the gathering.
Members of Parliament Dilip Wedaarachchi, Dr. Kavinda Jayawardena, Niroshan Perera, Secretary to the Ministry of Justice M. P. K. Mayadunne and Secretaries to Ministries, Government Officials and Attorneys at Law including were present at the event.
