News

India clarifies on compensation claims over ship disaster help

Published

2 years ago

May 24, 2023

editor

The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka says that India did not demand money from Sri Lanka to cover the cost of helping with the MT New Diamond or X-Press Pearl marine disaster.

Noting that reports indicating as such are ‘completely false and incorrect, the High Commission says that they have ‘raised a claim for deployment, salvage activities and items/stores undertaken by these ships’, “in line with Polluter Pay Principle as per international norms.”

Speaking during the Derana 360 programme on May 22, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe had said that Sri Lanka has to pay an amount of 890 million Indian rupees to the Indian Government for the aid and support extended when the X-Press Pearl and the New Diamond vessels were in distress in Sri Lankan waters.

The minister had said that the Indian Government has informed this request in writing.

The complete media release issued by the Indian High Commission in this regard is as follows :

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High Commission of India

Colombo

PRESS STATEMENT

High Commission of India has come across media reports which suggest that Government of India has demanded compensation/damages from Government of Sri Lanka towards the assistance provided during the fire incidents onboard MT New Diamond and MV Xpress Pearl in September 2020 and May-June 2021. Such reports are completely false and incorrect.

2. It may be recalled that Government of India immediately deployed ships of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in response to specific requests from Sri Lanka Navy for providing expeditious assistance to fight the fire incidents onboard MT New Diamond and MV Xpress Pearl. Rescue operations conducted by these ships were instrumental in curtailing the hazardous effects of the two fire incidents and thereby limiting the damage on the maritime and marine environment of Sri Lanka.

3. In line with ‘Polluter Pay Principle’ as per international norms, we have raised a claim for deployment, salvage activities and items/stores undertaken by these ships. Government of Sri Lanka has been requested to join our claims with that of the Sri Lankan side in the respective forum. It is emphasized that the request has been for presenting these claims to the Insurer/Owner for settlement and reimbursing the compensation received through established channels.

4. It is reiterated that India has not demanded any damages/compensation from Government of Sri Lanka and Government of India’s immediate deployment of ships are in line with ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Security And Growth for All (S.A.G.A.R) doctrine.

Colombo

24 May 2023

News

Fairly heavy rains expected today

Published

2 hours ago

April 19, 2025

editor

The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Sabaragamuwa, Central, Eastern and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Hambantota districts during the afternoon or night today (April 19).

The department noted that fairly heavy falls of above 50 mm are likely at some places in these areas.

Showers may occur in Western province and in Galle, Matara and Puttalam districts in the morning.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the morning.

News

Massive turnout of devotees for worshiping ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’

Published

2 hours ago

April 19, 2025

editor

The ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’, the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, which commenced yesterday (April 18), continues today (April 19) for its second day.

Accordingly, devotees have been given the opportunity to pay their respects to the Sacred Tooth Relic today from 12 noon to 5:30 p.m.

Media reports indicate that nearly 100,000 devotees worshipped the Sacred Tooth Relic yesterday (April 18).

Many devotees stayed in long queues overnight, lighting oil lamps and can be seen waiting to pay their homage today.

Kandy Municipal Commissioner Indika Kumari Abeysinghe stated that due to the unexpectedly large turnout on the first day, several pre-planned arrangements had to be adjusted.

In addition to the facilities provided by the Kandy Municipal Council for the devotees who come to worship the Sacred Tooth Relic, temples and mosques in the area have also been opened for the devotees, she further stated.

Meanwhile, as of early this morning, one of the queues of devotees waiting to pay homage had reportedly extended more than 8 km – from near Kandy’s Red Bridge area (Rathu Bokkuwa) to the Ketawala area along the Thalathuoya road.

The local residents had treated the devotees who had waited in queues all night with tea and water and had also provided accommodation to some of the devotees in their homes.

News

Earth slips block Beragala-Wellawaya road

Published

2 hours ago

April 19, 2025

editor

Traffic on the Beragala–Wellawaya road has been disrupted due to earth slips near the Viharagala area (184 km post), the Disaster Management Centre reported.

The Badulla District Deputy Director has alerted relevant authorities to clear the debris and restore normal traffic flow.

Motorists are advised to use the Ella–Wellawaya road as an alternative route until the road is cleared. Authorities are working to resolve the issue promptly.

Stay tuned for further updates.