Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa questioned the government in parliament regarding the current status of compensation due for the destruction of the X Press Pearl ship in Sri Lankan waters in 2021.
The opposition leader raised these concerns under Parliamentary Standing Order 27(2), noting that the public lacks official and transparent information despite a Supreme Court ruling establishing the legal framework to recover the funds.
He inquired whether the government had received the initial installment of the USD 1 billion compensation ordered by the Supreme Court.
He noted reports indicating that only Rs. 300 million has been received so far, calling it a fraction of the expected installment.
He demanded that parliament be provided with accurate data on the total funds received, the paying entities, the credited accounts, and the remaining amounts due.
Clarification was also sought on whether received funds were directed toward fisherfolk welfare or ecosystem restoration.
The opposition leader asked what steps had been taken to assess the total long term economic and environmental damage to secure additional compensation.
He also requested an update on the recovery of damages from the MT New Diamond disaster off the eastern coast.
The opposition leader asked whether the court ordered criminal investigations and prosecutions had been completed, calling on the Attorney General's Department to provide a timeline of actions against non compliant parties.
Referring to the proceedings before the Singapore International Commercial Court, he requested full disclosure on expenditure incurred for foreign legal counsel and the strategy moving forward.
He also questioned the progress of the X Press Pearl Compensation Commission and how the government plans to address the administrative, legal, and constitutional issues raised by its chairman.
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