How the claims are being run

Sri Lanka has received $US3.6 million (Rs. 720 million) of an initial claim of $US40 million against the X-Press Pearl’s owners over the damage allegedly created by the ship accident.

Families in the fishing community whose livelihood was destroyed by the sea pollution from the accident have received Rs. 400 million of this amount. The Fisheries Ministry has submitted further claims aimed at the distribution of more reparations for these victims.

The country’s compensation action is in two parts: one for the expenses incurred in putting out the fire and controlling damage between May 20 to July 2. The second component covers “anticipated costs” for future expenses.

The claims are being sent to the X-Press Pearl’s insurers, the London P and I Club (P and I stands for protection and indemnity insurance).

“What the P and I Club advised us to do is, firstly, to submit the invoices for our actual expenses, which we have done through the Attorney-General, who has in turn handed them over to the lawyers of the P and I club,” Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) chief Darshani Lahandapura said.

“Secondly, they advised against claiming anticipated costs since two to three months had elapsed since the wreck. They recommend instead that we submit invoices for the rest of the expenses as well. We are now preparing a second claim from June 2 up to August 31.”

Compensation claims for the environmental damage will follow once the damage has been assessed, she said.