Sri Lanka, Sept. 27 -- The operator of the X-Press Pearl vessel has publicly refused to comply with the Sri Lanka Supreme Court's order to pay $1 billion in compensation for the maritime disaster, throwing the anticipated resolution of the long legal battle into uncertainty.

The refusal was announced by the CEO of X-Press Feeders, who stated the company would not pay because the judgment "undermines" the principle of "limitation of liability," which is fundamental to maritime trade.

The CEO expressed a willingness to pay more than the $170 million already spent on cleanup and compensation, but insisted that any payment must adhere to "certain marine conventions" and be a "full and final" amount.

He rejected the "open-ended nature" of t...