A doctors' alliance has lodged a complaint with Sri Lanka's anti-corruption commission, alleging the government has failed to recover compensation ordered by the Supreme Court following the X-Press Pearl maritime disaster.
The Doctors' Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights has escalated concerns about outstanding compensation from the X-Press Pearl incident, filing a formal complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. The action comes amid allegations that the government has not adequately pursued recovery of funds ordered by court judgment.
According to Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, who filed the complaint on behalf of the alliance, the Supreme Court determined in 2025 that the X-Press Pearl disaster constituted a violation of fundamental rights. A five-member bench, then headed by Chief Justice Murdu Fernando, ordered that the government receive US$1 billion in compensation related to the incident.
However, recovery efforts appear to have stalled significantly. Dr. Sanjeewa indicated that only US$1 million of the ordered amount has been received to date, leaving a substantial shortfall. The alliance is calling for a comprehensive investigation into the reasons behind the government's apparent inability or unwillingness to secure the remaining funds under the current administration.
The complaint underscores broader questions about the implementation of judicial orders and the prioritization of compensating Sri Lanka for environmental and economic damage caused by the disaster.