The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has ordered the shipping company responsible for the X-Press Pearl maritime disaster to pay USD 1 billion in compensation to the Sri Lankan government.
The payment is to cover the extensive environmental and economic damage caused by the vessel’s fire and sinking off the country’s western coast.
The court found that the failure to prevent the disaster constituted a violation of fundamental human rights, and held several parties accountable.
The ruling was delivered by a five-member Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Murdhu fernando, Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Shiran Gunaratne, Achala Wengappuli, and Priyantha Fernando.
The compensation order follows series of fundamental rights petitions filed by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith and members of the fisheries community, who suffered severe losses due to the environmental fallout and disruption to livelihoods.
The court directed that the compensation be paid within one year from the date of the ruling, with the first installment due by September 23, 2025.
Named respondents in the case include the Minister of Environment, Minister of Fisheries, Minister of Ports, the Chairman of the Ports Authority, the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, the local agent of the X-Press Pearl vessel (Sea Consortium Lanka Pvt Ltd), the Marine Pollution Prevention Authority, the Central Environmental Authority, and the Attorney General, among others.
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