14-hour statement from X-PRESS PEARL skipper; CID to meet AG for advice

by Zulfick Farzan 01-06-2021 | 10:48 AM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Criminal Investigations Department recorded statements of the Captain, Chief Engineer, and the Second Chief Engineer of the MV X-PRESS PEARL on Monday (31).

Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana Speaking to News 1st said the statements of the Captain and the Chief Engineer were recorded for a period of 14-hours.

The statement of the Second Chief Engineer was recorded for a period of 12-hours, he said.

On Tuesday (01), the Criminal Investigations Department will meet with the Attorney General for advice on the investigations.

The Criminal Investigations Department appointed a 10-member team of detectives to investigate the incidents surrounding the MV X-PRESS PEARL container ship.

The team includes 03 Chief Inspectors & an Assistant Superintendent of Police and the investigations are taking place on the instructions of the Director and the DIG of the Criminal Investigations Department.

On the 23rd of May 2021, the Director-General of the Marine Environment Protection Authority filed a complaint with the Harbour Police over the environmental destruction caused by the fire onboard the vessel.

Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said the Colombo Harbour Police presented facts to the Colombo Magistrate’s Court and on the orders of the court, samples were sent to the Government Analyst.

Statements will be recorded from the other crew members in the near future, said the Police Spokesperson.

X-Press Feeders, the operators of the container ship ‘X-Press Pearl’ reported that firefighting operations to extinguish the blaze aboard the vessel have further reduced the area affected by flames to small spot fires in the aft of the ship.

Firefighting tugs will continue spraying and misting the vessel with support from the Sri Lankan Navy and Indian coastguard, who remain on scene, it added.

Salvors are also exploring the possibility of boarding the ship and making a tow connection so it can be moved.

The salvors have confirmed that the vessel’s hull remains structurally intact, and there has been no loss of oil into the port’s waters.

The Chairperson of the Marine Environment Protection Authority Darshani Lahandapura speaking to News 1st said that the extent of the damage caused to the vessel and only be confirmed once the salvors get onboard.