A complaint has been submitted to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), seeking an investigation into the conduct of three Supreme Court judges in connection with the recovery of compensation linked to the X-Press Pearl maritime disaster.
Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, President of the Medical and Civil Rights Doctors’ Association, handed over the complaint to the Director General of CIABOC yesterday.
The complaint alleges that actions taken during proceedings concerning compensation from the X-Press Pearl shipping company and its local representatives resulted in around US$999 million in compensation that was expected to be recovered not being obtained.
According to the complaint, a five-member Supreme Court bench headed by the Chief Justice had ordered the company and its representatives to pay US$250 million by September 24, 2025, in connection with cases numbered SC/FR/168/2021, SC/FR/176/2021, SC/FR/184/2021 and SC/FR/277/2021.
Dr. Sanjeewa alleges that only US$1 million had been paid against that order, leaving approximately US$249 million outstanding.
The complaint further claims that requests for contempt of court proceedings over the alleged failure to comply with the payment order did not result in action being taken against the company by the three judges named in the complaint.
It also questions the circumstances surrounding the removal of Justice Yasantha Kodagoda from the case. The complaint states that he had been the senior-most member of the earlier bench and had participated in preparing the judgement.
The matter was later taken up on January 26, 2026, before a three-member bench comprising the judges named in the complaint. Dr. Sanjeewa alleges that the bench ordered the termination of the proceedings on that date, which he claims was inconsistent with established judicial practice.
According to the complaint, the decision also affected the functioning of the Compensation Management Commission established by the court.
A letter dated March 6, 2026, reportedly informed the petitioners that the commission was unable to continue its work following the court order.
Dr. Sanjeewa has asked CIABOC to examine the matter under the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023. He has specifically alleged that the conduct attributed to the judges could fall within Section 111 of the Act, concerning corruption through the misuse of public office.
The complaint seeks an independent investigation, legal action if any wrongdoing is established, and information on the progress of the inquiry in accordance with Section 44 of the Act.
Dr. Sanjeewa has also raised questions about whether the loss of compensation is connected to the implementation of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution. He has separately filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging matters related to the constitutional amendment.
The allegations contained in the complaint have not been independently established, and the three judges named have not been found guilty of any wrongdoing.
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