Cabinet Green Light for committee to identify legal provisions in Maritime Laws

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Ministers has given the green light to appoint a committee to identify the legal provisions related to the Maritime Law in line with the International and Domestic requirements.

The Government Information Department said the need to develop legal infrastructure in line with the international conventions has been identified, taking into account the international requirements in the formulation of domestic laws and the ratification of international agreements when promoting Sri Lanka as a maritime hub considering Sri Lanka's strategic location in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

Earlier, a committee to study on the said fields had been appointed with the participation of former Supreme Court Judge P.A.Rathnayaka PC and no further action has been taken on the recommendations made by the said committee, it added.

The need to introduce new laws has been confirmed in view of the recent damage caused by the MT New Diamond and the MV Express Pearl vessels in Sri Lankan waters.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution tabled by the minister of Ports and Naval and the Minister of Justice to appoint a committee consisting of representatives of the institutions under the chairmanship of Chandana Jayasundera PC to identify new laws that need to be introduced or to amend existing laws and to submit a report with recommendations in that regard based on the report submitted by the previously appointed committee that chaired by P.A Rathnayake PC.