Centre for Environmental Justice vs Marine Environment Protection Authority (X-Press Pearl case) – SC/FR APPLICATION 168/ 2021-2025

In the case between the Centre for Environmental Justice (Guarantee) Ltd., representatives of local fishing communities, and other public-interest petitioners (Party A) against the MV X-Press Pearl group (comprising ESO RO (Pte.) Ltd., X-Press Feeders, Killiney Shipping (Pte.) Ltd., Sea Consortium Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd., vessel owners, and operators), along with certain public regulatory authorities of Sri Lanka (Party B), the Supreme Court examined liability for catastrophic marine and coastal pollution resulting from the MV X-Press Pearl disaster. The determination established that the vessel’s owners, operators, and local agent withheld critical safety information regarding hazardous cargo, which led to devastating environmental consequences and significant economic loss. Strict, non-delegab