Five petitions including the Fundamental Rights petition filed by the Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, seeking the Government to pay compensation for the damage caused to the fishing community who lost their livelihood due to the sea pollution caused by the ‘X Press Pearl’ container ship disaster, were yesterday fixed for support on December 1 by the Supreme Court.
These petitions were filed by a human rights activist, Fr. Sarath Iddamalgoda, two fishermen W. Gamini Fernando, Warnakulasuriya Christopher Sarath Fernando and ecologists Dr. Ajantha Perera and J. Jagathishwaran. The petitions were taken up before a panel of Supreme Court Justices comprising L.T.B Dehideniya, Preethi Padman Surasena and Mahinda Samayawardena.
It was decided to call the petitions on another date as several of the respondents did not appear in court.
Attorney-at-Law Krishmal Warnasuriya, appearing for the petitioners, stated that the consideration of the petitions has been postponed on three occasions.
He said that the damage caused to the coast as well as the environment by this ship is increasing day by day.
He therefore requested the court to consider these petitions as soon as possible. The other Counsels who appeared for the petitioners also agreed to do so. After considering the facts, the Court decided to call all these petitions on December 1.
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority, its Chairman and the Attorney General have been named as respondents in this petition.
Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle appeared on behalf of the Attorney General.
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