Sri Lanka seeks US$40 million in damages over Singapore-registered ship fire

In this Friday, June 11, 2021, file photo, Sri Lankan navy soldiers collect plastic residue washed ashore from the fire damaged container ship MV X-Press Pearl at Kapungoda, on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is seeking an interim claim of US$40 million from the operator of a fire-ravaged cargo ship to cover the cost of fighting the blaze, officials have announced. - AP

COLOMBO, June 12 (AFP): Sri Lanka is seeking US$40 million in damages from the operator of a ship that left massive pollution when it caught fire off the country's west coast, officials have announced.

Ports and shipping minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena said an interim claim had been lodged with X-Press Feeders, which controls the Singapore-registered MV X-Press Pearl.