Petition filed for independent inquiry into X-Press Pearl disaster

COLOMBO (News 1st): A writ petition compelling for an independent panel inquiry into the enflamed oil tanker MV X-Press Pearl was filed by three parties, including the Center for Environmental Justice at the Court of Appeal today (10).

The writ petition requests for an independent inquiry to be conducted into the incident of the burning of MV X-Press Pearl and the subsequent damage caused to the marine environment by the toxic chemicals aboard the ship.

The petitioners also requested the Court to direct the local agency that owns the ship to take steps to dispose of the plastic nurdles on the beach in a hygienic manner.

Minister of Environment Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of Ports Affairs Rohitha Abeygunawardena, The Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Central Environmental Authority, Marine Environment Protection Authority and the Attorney General have been named as respondents in the petition.