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By: Staff Writer
February 08, Colombo (LNW): The Attorney General has categorically denied reports suggesting that Sri Lanka is preparing to withdraw legal proceedings filed in foreign jurisdictions, including cases before the Singapore International Commercial Court.
Addressing the speculation with The Sunday Morning, Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe stated that there is no intention to abandon any ongoing litigation. He clarified that while certain strategic considerations are still under review, no decision has been taken to discontinue proceedings. Once these matters are settled, he said, the Government and the President will be formally briefed on the recommended way forward. At present, he noted, the only confirmed development is the recent order issued by the Supreme Court.
“With regard to suggestions that I am attempting to withdraw the case, there is absolutely no truth to them. We do not intend to withdraw any pending litigation. There are several strategic decisions to be made. Once those are finalised, we will advise the Government and inform the President of the appropriate course of action. For the time being, the only concrete development is the order issued by the SC,” he told The Sunday Morning.
He further explained that the dispute surrounding the sunken MV X-Press Pearl should not be viewed as one concerning responsibility, which he said has already been firmly established, but rather as a question of determining the appropriate level of compensation. Drawing on international practice in maritime pollution cases, he observed that such disputes are typically resolved through negotiated settlements rather than prolonged trials.
“These are not cases we expect to lose. In maritime pollution claims worldwide, the standard outcome is a negotiated settlement. You negotiate to secure the necessary compensation. The shipping company may initially refuse, much like an insurance company disputing a quotation for vehicle repairs, but matters rarely proceed to full trial. Ultimately, the fact that we suffered damage is beyond dispute. The ship sank, and we sustained significant injuries and losses. It is now simply a question of quantification,” he emphasised.
According to the Attorney General, the damage suffered by Sri Lanka is not in dispute, pointing to the sinking of the vessel and the resulting environmental and economic losses. The remaining task, he said, is to accurately assess and quantify those losses in monetary terms, a process that often involves extended negotiations with ship owners and insurers.
He also stressed that any decisions relating to enforcement or settlement would first be communicated within the Government. Emphasising the importance of protocol, he said the administration would be briefed directly before any further details are made public, adding that disclosures through official channels would follow in due course.
“Consequent to the SC order, our priority is to advise the Government. It is appropriate that the Government is informed directly rather than through the press. Once the Government has been advised, we will be in a position to disclose further details.”
