In a landmark ruling today, Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has ordered the owners of the X‑Press Pearl cargo ship to pay USD 1 billion in compensation for the massive environmental and economic damage caused by the ship’s fire and sinking off the coast of Colombo in May 2021.
The court found the shipowners responsible for one of the worst maritime disasters in Sri Lanka’s history, which led to widespread pollution of the country’s western coastline, the destruction of marine ecosystems, and a severe impact on the fishing and tourism industries.
This decision follows a lengthy legal battle and environmental assessment reports that outlined the devastating consequences of the incident. The X-Press Pearl, which was carrying hazardous chemicals including nitric acid and plastic pellets, caught fire and eventually sank near the Colombo Port.
Justice Served for the Ocean and Communities
The $1 billion compensation is expected to be used for:
- Coastal and marine ecosystem restoration
- Rebuilding affected fishing communities
- Long-term environmental monitoring
- Strengthening maritime regulations and enforcement
Environmental activists, coastal residents, and tourism stakeholders have welcomed the ruling as a major step toward accountability and justice.
