It was revealed before Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that the Sea Consortium Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, the Local Agent of X-Press Pearl vessel has so far failed to provide its email message database to the CID, despite a court order to do so.
Deputy Solicitor General Madhawa Tennakoonmade these remarks when the magisterial inquiry into the fire-ravaged container ship was taken up before Colombo Additional Magistrate Lochana Abeywickrama.
However, Sarath Jayamanne, PC, who appeared for the Local Agent Company told the court that the CID was requesting for the database of the company, although the court had made an order to only provide the email database.
Jayamanna said there was a risk of the company’s business secrets being leaked through this process.
President’s Counsel Anura Maddegoda, appearing for the Managing Director of the company stated that the email database requested by the CID is about 6,000 GB and they are currently being copied. The court was informed that the email database would be handed over to the CID immediately.
Deputy Solicitor General Tennakoon further alleged that the crew had defied the court order to hand over data containing electronic items such as mobile phones, laptops, cameras and other belongings of the 27 crew members aboard the ship.
The Deputy Solicitor General said that the prosecution does not intend to obtain personal data on the contents of the electronic items, and further said only the data related to the vessel relevant to the investigation would be obtained from these electronic devices.
Tennakoon informed the court that the ship’s crew members had refused to hand over the equipment, including mobile phones, to the CID as per the advice given by their lawyers. Taking into consideration the facts, the Colombo Additional Magistrate observed that it is appropriate to take contempt of court action against those who violate court orders.
Further magisterial inquiry fixed for June 30.
