Point - Counterpoint

The Avant Garde conundrum:

Clear proof of Ministers, MPs trying to defend Avant Garde - Anura Kumara Dissanayake

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

The views expressed by Ministers Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Tilak Marapana fully contradict the earlier statement made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on this much-debated issue. What the Premier told Parliament was that an investigation was being conducted in connection with Avant Garde activities. But the speeches made by Ministers Rajapakshe and Marapana gave the impression that they were giving the final verdict on this case.

JVP Leader and Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake came out strongly against what he viewed as 'inaction on the controversial Avant Garde issue' charging that it was the government's prime responsibility to investigate and determine whether the private security company had violated the law of the land or not. In an interview with the Sunday Observer, the JVP Leader said there was clear proof of many ministers and parliamentarians trying to defend Avant Garde, and alleged that instead of bringing the fraudsters to book, the government was curiously following a policy of defending them.

Q: Right through you have been pressing for action against the private security firm Avant Garde, but without success. Why is this?

A: It came to light during Wednesday's adjournment debate in Parliament that the Minister of Law and Order and Prison Reforms, Tilak Marapana was the lawyer looking after the interests of the Avant Garde Company. It was evident that many ministers and parliamentarians were trying to defend Avant Garde. Instead of bringing the fraudsters to book, the government has followed a policy of defending them. That is why this situation has cropped up.

Q: The Attorney General and now the Minister of Law and Order and Prison Reforms Minister Tilak Marapana, possibly looking at the case from a legal perspective say there could be no case against Avant Garde. Do you accept the verdict or will you continue to press this issue and if so why?

A: This is the power of money. Our struggle is not just confined to Avant Garde. We want to expose the names of fraudsters who have exploited public property and initiate legal action while pressurising the government to punish the corrupt elements and retrieve the properties fraudulently earned by them. Actually, the January 8 silent revolution has empowered the government to deal with such ill-gotten wealth. At the moment, as a political movement, we are trying our level best to fulfil the people's aspirations.

Q: Isn't this issue more political than legal, as it is not tenable in a court of law?

A: The views expressed by Ministers Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Tilak Marapana fully contradict the earlier statement made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on this much-debated issue. What the Premier told Parliament was that an investigation was being conducted in connection with Avant Garde activities. But the speeches made by Ministers Rajapakshe and Marapana gave the impression that they were giving the final verdict on this case.

Q: Can you prove that Avant Garde violated the law of the land?

A: This is what should be investigated by the government. I think there is ample evidence, more than necessary to investigate this incident. There is evidence to substantiate the allegations. Even Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne at the Cabinet press briefing told the media that Avant Garde officials also attempted to bribe him. In addition, Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake disclosed in Parliament the names of ministers, deputy ministers and government officials who were involved in the Avant Garde transactions. Minister Champika Ranawaka said the law of the land has not been applied against the Avant Garde owner. Irrespective of political ideology, parliamentarians who had not got involved in unsavoury acts such as frauds or bribe taking have expressed their candid views openly.

Q: What made you to divulge the names of certain prominent politicians such as Ministers Tilak Marapana and Vajira Abeywardena in this controversial case?

A: I would categorically state that the incumbent President, Maithripala Sirisena, has not intervened whatsoever to defend the Avant Garde transactions. After the January 08 victory, a minister of the present government was instrumental in creating the opportunity for Avant Garde boss to meet the President on January 10. I think at that time, the President didn't have any understanding about this issue. In my speech made in Parliament, I tried to convey the belief that the incumbent President didn't try to defend or cover up the Avant Garde transaction. We divulged the information on the attempts being made by a minister to defend the Avant Garde owner. I categorically said in Parliament that two ministers were also responsible in this regard.

Q: You alleged in Parliament

that it was Minister Vajira Abeywardena who arranged for the Avant Garde boss to meet the President. Is there anything wrong in such a gesture, when a citizen of this country is free to have access to any politician of his choice?

A: You will understand the reasons if you go through Wednesday's

(November 4) Hansard report of Parliament. They have their own explanations.

Q: Minister Marapana said Avant Garde official had done nothing wrong or illegal and also there was no fraud involved in the floating armoury controversy. Do you still want to pursue this matter?

A: This is a clear testimony as to how people have been bought over by Avant Garde and their deliberate attempts to defend it.