HC orders MEPA to submit report on progress of X-Press Pearl disaster probe

Colombo High Court judge Namal Balalle yesterday ordered the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) to report to court on 20 Jan on the progress of the investigation into the MV X-Press Pearl ship disaster.

When the case was taken up, the Russian captain of the ill-fated Singapore registered ship and the three directors of the shipping company’s local agency, who have been named as suspects in connection with the disaster, appeared in court.

The State Counsel who appeared for the Marine Environment Protection Authority informed the court that further investigations were being carried out into the incident.

Accordingly, the judge ordered the case to be re-called on 20 Jan and directed the MEPA to report on the progress of the investigations on that day.