FR petition on the environmental damage caused by the X-press Pearl vessel fixed for support by the SC.

The Fundamental Rights petition filed by environmental scientist Dr Ajantha Perera and a social activist seeking an order directing the authorities to set up a Restoration and Conservation Fund for the environmental degradation due to the pollution caused by the X-Press Perl vessel was today fixed for support by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court two-judge-bench comprising Justice Shiran Goonaratne and Justice Kumuduni Wickremasinghe fixed the petition for support on October 25. The court was told that the petitioner intends to amend the caption of the petition. Meanwhile, Senior Counsel Chrismal Waransuriya appearing for the petitioner, raised objections to the intervention sought by President's Counsel Romesh de Silva to appear on behalf of the owner of the X-press Pearl vessel. The petitioners, Dr Ajantha Perera and Jeran Jegatheesan are seeking an order to allocate not less than 70% of all compensation received, for the restoration the of oceanic environment. The petitioners had named the Marine Environment Protection Authority and its Chairman Dharshani Lahandapura,  Sri Lanka Ports Authority, State Minister of Urban Development Nalaka Godahewa and several others as respondents. The petitioners are further seeking an order to compel authorities to take immediate steps for the prosecution, of all those responsible in connection with the X-Press Pearl disaster.