Loss of business puts Avant Garde in quandary

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

The number of vessels requiring maritime security services from Avant Garde will decline, if the current situation continues, said Avant Garde Chairman Major (rtd) Nissanka Senadhipathi, commenting on media reports published over the loss of business.

“More and more foreign vessels will be compelled to seek services elsewhere if the prevailing situation continues,” Senadhipathi said.

Yesterday (November 14) officials of Avant Garde Security Services told the media that nearly 150 foreign vessels, which previously used its services have informed them that they were no longer in need of it.

Senadhipathi said by sabotaging the business, ex-servicemen who served the country will be badly affected

“These ex-servicemen lead a decent life depending on this job after retirement and today they will lose this privilege,” he said adding that his staff on the MV Avant Garde ship is facing a life threatening situation.

“I have made a complaint with the Galle Police over the matter,” he added. Senadhipathi alleged that the Sri Lanka Navy has forcibly taken over the ship owned by his company, threatening his staff on board,” Senadhipathi said.

According to Avant Garde officials, several commercial vessels were delayed last morning due to the abrupt suspension of the security service and vessels were stranded in international waters. “Politicians must not take petty advantage over this issue. I have to sign letters terminating their jobs because of the loss of business,” he added. This is politically motivated, he alleged and said he had all the documents to prove it. He said that because of the politicians behind this chaos, his life was also in danger. He pointed out that he feared to live in his own country at present, due to these threats and has requested the Ministry of Law and Order seeking police protection. He insisted that this was the truth and he had enough evidence to prove it. Refuting allegations that foreign vessels were stranded in international waters, Secretary Defence Karunasena Hettiarachchi said that these were stories spread by interested parties. There is no problem providing security to foreign vessels, he said. If anybody was challenging the situation, I will face it,” said Secretary Defence Hettiarachchi.