The insurers of the fire-ravaged X-Press Pearl have agreed to pay approximately Rs. 720 million as compensation to the Sri Lankan fishermen affected by the disaster.
Kanchana Wijesekera, State Minister of Ornamental Fish, Inland Fish & Prawn Farming, Fishery Harbor Development, Multi day Fishing Activities and Fish Export said the Attorney General has been informed that a payment of US $3.6 million (Approximately Rs. 720 Million) will be paid for the Fishermen next week by the X-Press Pearl agents.
The payment would be the Initial payment of the First Interim Damage Claim of $40 Million made by the AG for the Period of 20th May – 3rd June.
A committee of government officials, including the Attorney General’s office, Auditor General’s Office, GA Gampaha, Ministry of Fisheries, and other officials will be appointed to distribute the Damage Claims, the State Minister said in a Twitter post.
