By: Staff Writer

November 01, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s new government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, announced plans to reinvestigate the devastating 2021 X-Press Pearl maritime disaster that heavily impacted the nation’s coastline and marine ecosystem.

A senior minister revealed that this investigation is intended to address accusations of mismanagement, corruption, and delays in compensating affected communities. To date, Sri Lanka has struggled to secure substantial compensation for the disaster’s environmental impact, leaving many affected fishermen without adequate support.

The Singapore-registered MV X-Press Pearl caught fire near Negombo, Sri Lanka, in May 2021, releasing harmful chemicals, plastic pellets, and other pollutants into the ocean.

This contamination, which originated from the vessel’s cargo of hazardous substances, including 25 tons of nitric acid, resulted in widespread marine fatalities, devastating the local fishing industry and endangering public health

 Environmental scientists, including Hemantha Withanage, estimate the damage claims could reach as high as $10 billion, citing findings of toxic chemicals such as Bisphenol and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ocean samples.

 The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) labeled the incident as the worst marine chemical disaster in Sri Lankan history.

The island nation’s legal pursuit of compensation, however, has faced repeated setbacks. With only an interim payment of $3.7 million secured, Sri Lanka could potentially claim $5 billion to $7 billion more.

However, lengthy legal processes and a lack of aggressive governmental action have raised concerns. Critics argue that the extended delays and unwillingness to engage in complex legal battles in international courts may reduce Sri Lanka’s chances of receiving adequate compensation.

In response, MEPA has urged legal action to avoid missing the window for rightful claims, with calls for a Presidential Commission of Inquiry to ensure accountability and transparency in the proceedings.

Since the disaster, approximately 200 women have been engaged in cleanup efforts along affected beaches, collecting microplastics and other debris from the wreck. Despite these efforts, environmental restoration has remained slow, and the financial strain on affected communities persists.

The government’s handling of compensation has sparked additional scrutiny, particularly after former MEPA head Darshani Lahandapura revealed that she had been pressured to accept compensation in local currency rather than USD.

Given Sri Lanka’s economic crisis and currency devaluation in 2022, this move raised suspicions that officials sought to leverage the situation for financial gain, potentially reducing the actual compensation value received.

In response, President Dissanayake’s administration has pledged to thoroughly investigate the incident after parliamentary elections on November 14, with expectations that the National People’s Power (NPP) party will assume office.