In July 2025, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka issued a landmark ruling in the MV X-Press Pearl disaster case, holding X-Press Feedersand local agent Sea Consortium Lanka Pvt. Ltd. jointly and severally liable for the 2021 maritime catastrophe. The court found that the companies deliberately suppressed information about a nitric acid leak onboard the vessel, violating international maritime laws (MARPOL, SOLAS, IMDG Code), and causing one of the worst marine plastic spills in history.

The judgment also held state agencies—including the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) and the Attorney General’s office—responsible for negligence and failure to act. The court ordered an initial USD 1 billion in compensation for environmental restoration and affected communities, particularly fisherfolk whose livelihoods collapsed due to the pollution.

The Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), which filed the petition, welcomed the ruling and urged transparent disbursement of compensation. The court also mandated legal reforms, criminal prosecutions, and long-term monitoring of recovery efforts. The case will be revisited in September 2025 to assess compliance.