FR filed seeking an order to set up a marine environment conservation fund fixed for support

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 Pearl vessel was today fixed for support by Supreme Court.

Supreme Court three-judge-bench comprising Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya, Justice Shiran Goonaratne fixed the petition for support on August 3.

The court was informed that several respondent parties in the petition are yet to receive notices.

The petition 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 take immediate steps for the prosecution of all those responsible in connection with the X-Press Pearl disaster.