Ranil submits motion calling for PSC to probe MV X-Press Pearl disaster

UNP Leader and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has submitted a motion for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate the MV X-Press Pearl disaster.

The motion, included in the latest addendum to the Order Book of Parliament, identifies the MV X-Press Pearl incident as the worst marine ecological disaster in the country and says that a PSC should be appointed “to look into and report its recommendations on the damage caused to the Sri Lankan marine environment and marine life, persons whose livelihoods have been lost, and the impact on the national economy by the sinking of the MV X–Press Pearl ship on June 22, 2021 off the coast of Sri Lanka.”

The motion reads: “The sinking of MV X-Press Pearl, off the coast of Colombo on 22 June 2021 is Sri Lanka’s worst marine ecological disaster; and whereas, this disaster has destroyed marine and animal lives and caused a massive economic loss; This Parliament resolves that a Select Committee of Parliament be appointed to, (a) Quantify the economic damage caused as a result of the sinking of MV X-Press Pearl; (b) Estimate the number of persons whose livelihoods have been affected; (c) To recommend financial relief and other compensation to be awarded to the people so affected; and (d) The extent of (i) marine and animal lives and (ii) the undersea environment affected by this disaster. 2. (a) That the Chair and the Members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Speaker; and (b) The Committee shall report to Parliament within six (6) months of its first sitting or such extended period that the Parliament may grant.

The PSC shall have the power to (a) fix its quorum; (b) summon in person to appear before it, to require in person to procure or record, to procure and receive such evidence, written or oral, as the Committee may think it is necessary for the fullest consideration of the matters referred to above; (c) obtain the services of Specialists and Experts in the relevant fields to assist the Committee; and (d) make interim reports from time to time and sit, notwithstanding any adjournment of Parliament, the motion by the UNP leader said.