Applications challenging indictments against eight accused in X-Press Pearl case dismissed

Colombo, March 13 (Daily Mirror)- The Court of Appeal dismissed the revision applications filed by eight accused including the Captain of the fire-ravaged container ship MV X-Press Pearl who were indicted before the Colombo High Court for causing damages to the country's oceanic environment.

The eight accused had filed revision applications challenging the Colombo High Court's decision to reject their preliminary objections against the charges filed against them.

The Court of Appeal two-judge-bench comprising Justices Sampath B. Abayakoon and P. Kumararatnam decided to dismiss the revision application without notices being issued on the Attorney General. 

The Attorney General filed the 
indictment against eight accused before the Colombo High Court, charging them on eight counts in terms of Section 26(a) of the Marine Pollution Prevention Act No. 35 of 2008.

These charges emanate from the destruction caused to the coastal areas of the country within the territorial waters of Sri Lanka, as a result of the marine pollution caused by a ship called MV X-Press Pearl, between May 19, 2021 and June 02, 2021. 

The charge have been filed against Tyutkalo Vitalyon, the Master of the ship, Sea Consortium Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, its  directors and the General Manager for the destruction caused to the coastal areas of the country within the territorial waters of Sri Lanka.