The compensation battle over the X-Press Pearl disaster has taken a new turn after Sea Consortium Lanka, the local agent of the vessel, informed in an affidavit that it has paid Rs. 300 million to the Treasury, far short of the US$250 million first tranche ordered by the Supreme Court.
The court had directed the owners, operators, and agents of the ship to pay an initial tranche of US$250 million by 23 September, as part of a total US$1 billion compensation package for environmental and economic damage caused by the 2021 maritime disaster.
The Singapore-based operator, X-Press Feeders, has also declared through its CEO that it is unable to comply with the order, citing international maritime liability conventions.
According to Mawbima newspaper, the Center for Environmental Justice will file objections over the failure to meet the court-ordered payment when the case is taken up again tomorrow, 25 September.
