The Sri Lankan government plans to investigate the X Press Pearl disaster that occurred in May 2021, according to Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath. This decision comes as previous governments have not yet submitted claims for civil liability costs related to the incident.

Sri Lanka is set to receive approximately $810,696.57 for beach cleaning and debris removal, but the larger civil liability claims remain unsettled. The ship’s owner has agreed to cover cleaning costs for the period from July 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024.

The MV X-Press Pearl, which caught fire off Sri Lanka's coast, released tons of plastic pellets and other pollutants, largely impacting the marine ecosystem. An ongoing lawsuit was filed in Singapore by the previous government, supported by an Australian law firm and six international experts assessing claims for environmental damage.

The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) reported an oil slick of approximately 0.51 km² near the wreck, while the full extent of the damage is still being evaluated. The insurance company for the ship has compensated the Sri Lankan government $7.85 million, but details on further litigation actions remain unclear.