The Supreme Court directs AG to submit a progress report regarding the awarding of compensation to the fishermen affected by the X-Press Pearl disaster.

The Supreme Court today directed the Attorney General to submit a progress report regarding the awarding of compensation to the fishermen who were severely affected by the X-Press Perl disaster.

The Supreme Court made this order pursuant to submissions made by counsel who appeared on behalf of the petitioners to the effect that the victims of the X-Press Pearl disaster have not been paid since November last year.

Counsel Himali Kularatne, appearing for Rev. Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda, and fishermen representing Negombo and Chilaw, submitted to court that the victims have not received compensation since November 2022.

The Supreme Court's four-judge bench headed by Justice Murdu Fernando fixed the petitions to be heard on October 5 and 6.

The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), Rev. Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda, and fishermen representing Negombo and Chilaw had filed Fundamental Rights petitions seeking an order directing the respondents to award compensation to the fishermen who were severely affected by the X-Press Perl disaster.