Srilanka, Feb. 9 -- The Supreme Court has directed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to provide an update on the investigation into allegations that a US$ 250 million bribe was paid to a local official by the insurers of MV X-Press Pearl to disrupt the ongoing probe.

These allegations were made by former Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe in April 2023, following multiple tips he received about the bribery attempt to interfere with the litigation and compensation processes surrounding the X-Press Pearl disaster. Dr. Rajapakshe later lodged a formal complaint with the CID.

The Court Order was issued during hearings of several Fundamental Rights petitions related to the X-Press Pearl disaster, brought before the Chief ...