Police to quiz Captain and crew of MV X-Press Pearl vessel

A special police team will be deployed to record statements from the crew members including the captain of the "MV X-Press Pearl’ tomorrow in connection with the complaint lodged by the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) over the environmental damage caused by the fire that erupted in the vessel.

Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said that the MEPA had lodged a complaint with the Colombo harbour police on May 23 to take legal action against the Captain of the X-Press Pearl ship, which caught fire near the Colombo Harbor and its parent company.

Accordingly , the Harbour Police has initiated an investigation and the facts have been reported to the Colombo Magistrate's Court.

However, statements were not recorded from the crew because they were undergoing quarantine.

The spokesman said statements will be recorded tomorrow  as the 25 crew members will complete their quarantine period today.(DSB)