The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to obtain compensation from the insurance company that owns the MV X-Press Pearl ship that caused grave marine environment destruction in Sri Lanka due to the fire onboard, in US dollars.

Cabinet approval was granted as obtaining compensation in Sri Lankan currency could set a bad precedent, and therefore the Cabinet agreed to accept compensation in US dollars for all activities such as beach cleanups, waste management, environmental damage and other activities.

Accordingly, the Marine Environment Protection Authority will submit the insurance claim form to the insurance company of the MV X-Press Pearl ship in US dollars.

The Ministry of Urban Development and Housing said although the insurance company that owns the ship settled the first and second claims with the Treasury entirely in US dollars, the insurance company had requested the Attorney General through the MEPA to pay the third and fourth claim settlements in US dollars and rupees.

The MV X-Press Pearl, carrying goods under the flag of Singapore, reported a fire onboard on the 20th of May 2021 when in Sri Lanka waters and subsequently sank in Lankan waters.

(newsradio.lk)