MV X-Press Pearl: Clearance of debris to be completed in 120 days

COLOMBO (News 1st); The clearance of debris from the MV X-Press Pearl tanker which underwent an oceanic disaster will be completed within 120 days, the Government Information Department states. 

Accordingly, a supervisory committee comprised of representatives of relevant institutions has been appointed under the Director General of Commercial Naval Secretarial in order to supervise the process to make sure that no oceanic pollution is occurred due to the process of removing debris.

Moreover, the Government Information Department states that the first instalment of compensation has been paid to all the fishermen affected by the devastation, while the ban imposed on fishing applicable to Kalutara District has totally been lifted.

The restrictions applicable to both Colombo and Gampaha Districts will also be lifted once the process of clearing debris is completed, it adds.

So far, US dollars 3.7 million has been credited to the Government of Sri Lanka as a share of rights claimed by the Fisheries and Oceanic Environment Protection Authority and discussions are being held with P and I Company for recovering the 

remaining rights, the Government Information Department states.

Meanwhile, overseas laboratories have been directed to analyze the biological samples of oceanic life and other samples and in addition, Spark Helmore company of Australia is supplying legal instructions in regard to the claims on environmental devastation.