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Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has ordered the owners and operators of the MV X-Press Pearl container vessel to pay USD 1 billion in damages for environmental destruction resulting from what has been described as the largest marine plastic spill ever recorded.
Catastrophic Spill and Lasting Impact
The Singapore-registered cargo ship sank off the coast of Sri Lanka between May and June 2021 after leaking nitric acid and catching fire. The incident discharged an estimated 70–75 billion plastic pellets, along with hazardous chemicals and fuel, inflicting severe damage on marine ecosystems, coral reefs, and coastal livelihoods.
Nearly four years later, the consequences persist. Marine scientists report that the remaining plastic pellets in the ocean continue to accumulate toxins, posing an ongoing threat to biodiversity. Fishermen in the region have faced declining fish stocks, jeopardizing their income and food security.
Legal Accountability
The court ruling enforces the “polluter pays principle,” holding the so-called “X-Press Pearl Group”—including ship owner EOS Ro Pte. Ltd. and various charterers—liable for intentionally withholding vital information about the vessel’s condition to gain port access. This deliberate omission, the court found, exacerbated the environmental fallout.
The awarded compensation will fund a national program for ecosystem restoration and long-term environmental recovery.
Regional Significance
This landmark judgment sets a precedent for maritime environmental accountability in South Asia, reaffirming legal consequences for industrial negligence and environmental harm.
