Accordingly, DSG Tennakoon has informed the Court that statements have been recorded from the Harbour Master and other relevant officials of the SLPA. DSG Tennakoon further assured the Court that justice will be served to those responsible for the erasure of this data. However, DSG Tennakoon rejected these accusations, adding that a fully independent investigation is currently being carried out into the matter. Furthermore, the Court has lifted the travel bans that were imposed on 14 of the total of 24 crew members of the MV X-Press Pearl. The MV X-Press Pearl ship caught fire on 20 May, approximately nine nautical miles away from the Colombo Harbour, after having anchored there a few hours prior to the fire.

Source: The Nation July 14, 2021 19:18 UTC