Rs. 420Mn from first interim claim to be given as compensation to fisherfolk in WP: Rohitha

• Sri Lanka has received a total of Rs. 720 million as interim claim 
• Sri Lanka had claimed US$ 40 million as the first interim claim and added that the total claim is being assessed

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera 

Ports and Shipping Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena said yesterday a sum of Rs. 420 million has been allocated from the first interim claim of the X-Press Pearl container ship to be distributed among the fisherfolk who were affected by the disaster in Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara Districts. 

He told Parliament that Sri Lanka had received Rs.720 million (US$3.6) as the interim claim for the X-Press Pearl container ship disaster. 

Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Minister said Rs. 200 million have been allocated for marine environment protection and Rs. 100 million for other expenses. 

The Minister said Sri Lanka had claimed US$ 40 million as the first interim claim and added that the total claim is being assessed. 

Justice Minister Ali Sabry said Sri Lanka was in the process of getting technical support from international institutions to assess the total claim and added that Expression of Interest has been called from several international law firms in Australia, Singapore, America and European Union. 

He said international experts in assessing the marine pollution and the damage caused to the marine environment from an oil spill would arrive in the country together with the law firms. 

He said the Vessel had been insured for US$1 billion and added that it was reinsured for US$ 7 billion. 

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Justice Minister Ali Sabry said Sri Lanka was in the process of getting technical support from international institutions to assess the total claim and added that Expression of Interest has been called from several international law firms