A large number of fishermen affected by the MV X-press Pearl disaster, are yet to receive compensation for the damage caused to their livelihood and their income, the Supreme Court comprising Justices Murdu Fernando, PC, Yasantha Kodagoda, PC, Shiran Gooneratne, Achala Wengappuli and Priyantha Fernando, was informed yesterday.
This was when several Fundamental Rights Petitions were filed, challenging the damage caused to the marine environment and the fishing community by the X-press Pearl disaster, were taken up for hearing yesterday.
Senior Attorney-at-Law Himali Kularatne appearing for Petitioner Fr. Sarath Iddawela informed that, although it was claimed that the fishermen have been compensated, there are many who have yet to be compensated.
She said, as a Petitioning party, they have not received the complete details of the fishermen who have been compensated and sought the involvement of the Court to direct the relevant authorities who have the details, to release them to the Petitioner.
Accordingly, the Supreme Court directed the Petitioners to submit a written request within two weeks, to the Attorney General (AG), requesting his support to obtain the details required and inform Court of its progress.
Further hearing was rescheduled for July 29, 30 and 31.
The Petitions were filed by Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Dr. Ajantha Perera, Center for Environment Justice and several other parties.
Although the hearing of these Petitions had been scheduled for three consecutive days from yesterday, it had to be rescheduled due to a fault in one of the Petitions.
The Judges said that, despite the objections from the AG, they would not dismiss this faulty Petition, considering the importance of this Public Interest Litigation. Accordingly, the Petitioner was given additional time to submit an amended Petition and the hearing rescheduled.
Lahiru Fernando