AG’s report on floating armoury to Navy Chief

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

The Attorney General’s (AG’s) Department has not yet instructed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on the steps to be taken based on the completed report of the probe into the illegal marine security venture by Rakna Araksha Lanka and the Avante Garde Security Services.

When questioned on the reasons for the delay Deputy Minister of Justice Sujeewa Senasinghe said that he is also in the dark on this matter. “I have inquired about this from the AG’s Department and they told me that it was sent to the Navy Commander for some recommendations in the areas relevant to him. The AG’s Department officials are awaiting recommendations,” he explained.

Heads of relevant institutions are awaiting the AG’s recommendations as the CID investigation had been closely monitored by President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe given its potentially international security ramifications.

“I also do not know the reasons for the delay and the Prime Minister is also awaiting the AG’s recommendations,” the Deputy Minister said.

According to sources at the AG’s Department, Senior Solicitor General Wasantha Navaratne Bandara had examined the report and submitted recommendations to the AG. Investigations have revealed that the offences committed are the unauthorised import of firearms to Sri Lanka, possessing firearms without a valid licence and conspiracy, aiding and abetting to commit these offences.

A prima facie case has been established under the violations of the Firearms Ordinance and the Prevention of Terrorism Act against the Chairman and the Director of the Avante Garde Maritime Services, a subsidiary of the private security firm Avante Garde Security Services (Pvt) Ltd.

The lucrative business was established according to the whims and fancies of a few people which only fattened individual bank accounts rather than transferring the money to the Treasury, he added. “The Government should not delay to rectify what has gone wrong and restart the industry soon following the proper procedure in accordance with the law, Deputy Minister Senasinghe said.

“A private company has to be selected strictly after all the legal aspects are being adhered to,” he said. The Deputy Minister said that if the country earned the millions of rupees lost due to the illegal joint venture the government could have covered the budget deficit comfortably.