Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just
SC orders X-Press Pearl stakeholders to pay USD 1 billion
The Island
|July 25, 2025
In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday ordered the non-state parties involved in the X-Press Pearl disaster to make an initial payment of USD 1 billion within one year as compensation for damages.
The SC further ordered that such payments be paid to the Secretary to the Treasury.
A five-judge bench of the SC comprising Chief Justice Murdu Fernando, Justice Yasantha Kodagoda, Justice Shiran Gooneratne, Justice Achala Wengappuli and Justice Priyantha Fernando also ordered a Compensation Commission be set up under the Chairmanship of retired SC Justice Gamini Amarasekera.
The SC also ruled that former State Minister for Urban Development and Coast Conservation Nalaka Godahewa had failed to adopt supervisory measures and thereby violated the Fundamental Rights of the citizens.
X-Press Pearl verdict--key points:
1. USD 1 billion compensation ordered
This story is from the July 25, 2025 edition of The Island.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Island
The Island
Presidential authority in times of emergency: A contemporary appraisal - II
Keynote Address Delivered at the International Research Conference of the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, on 12 December 2025.
9 mins
December 19, 2025
The Island
Trump pushes Pakistan to send troops to Gaza
Pakistan's most powerful military chief ever faces the toughest test of his newly amassed powers as Washington pushes Islamabad to contribute troops to the Gaza stabilisation force, a move analysts say could spark domestic backlash.
2 mins
December 19, 2025
The Island
Tokyo Cement Group honoured for impactful CSR at SLIM Brand Excellence 2025
Tokyo Cement Group's longstanding commitment to social progress and sustainability was honoured with a CSR Brand of the Year Merit Award at the SLIM Brand Excellence 2025 Awards ceremony held recently.
1 min
December 19, 2025
The Island
Sri Lankans rescued from cybercrime centers in Myanmar repatriated
Twenty-five Sri Lankans who had been rescued from cybercrime centres in Myawaddy, Myanmar recently were repatriated to Sri Lanka on Tuesday (16), the Sri Lankan embassy in Bangkok said.
1 min
December 19, 2025
The Island
The Maha Jana Handa at Nugegoda, cyclone destruction, and contenders positioning for power in post-NPP Sri Lanka - II
During his rousing speech, Harin Fernando anticipated SLPP national organiser Namal Rajapaksa's straightforward declaration of his resolve to end the JVP/NPP regime as soon as possible.
8 mins
December 19, 2025
The Island
Disaster relief mired in dirty politics
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has accused the government of interfering with the ongoing disaster relief programmes.
3 mins
December 19, 2025
The Island
Wrong use of the term, 'vaccines'
I request you to publish this appeal in your newspaper in recognition of the seminal health implications of the content.
2 mins
December 19, 2025
The Island
Sajith: Met Dept. officials under virtual house arrest
... hands over proposal asking for PSC probe into govt.'s lapses
1 mins
December 19, 2025
The Island
Editors' Guild expresses concern over intimidation of Aruna editor
The Editors' Guild of Sri Lanka (TEGOSL) has expressed serious concern over the intimidation of Editor of Aruna newspaper and directive issued by Deputy Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Sunil Watagala regarding action to be taken in terms of Emergency Regulations in respect of criticism of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
1 mins
December 19, 2025
The Island
Ranil ready to give up leadership if the party WC endorses UNP-SJB proposal to that effect
UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed the party working committee of his readiness to step down if his continuation as the leader prevented the unification of the UNP and the main Opposition SJB.
1 min
December 19, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size