“Some ministers may want me killed”

Avant Garde chief alleges death threats, ‘war hero’ employees being threatened by the Navy and claims his business being ‘above board’:

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

Chairman, Avant Garde Security Services, Nissanka Senadhipathi Photo: www asianmirror.lk

The controversial role played by a private sector company in the island’s maritime security in recent years has become a contentious topic, especially after the MV Avant Garde ship docked at the Galle Harbour in October and the Sri Lanka Navy recovered the weapons on board.

Following the new turn of events, the equally controversial chairman of Avant Garde Security Services, Nissanka Senadhipathi has accused the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) of attempting to harm the employees of the company.

In a telephone interview with the ‘Sunday Observer,’ Senadhipathi claimed his company has filed a complaint with the Galle Police Station over his employees being in the Navy custody.

Senadhipathi emphasized that he was facing serious threats to his life and has requested special protection.

“There are some ministers who are good at hoodwinking people and cannot be trusted at all. They might even kill me,” he said.

Excerpts:

Q: With the arrival of the MV Avant Garde ship at the Galle Harbour and the events that followed, questions have arisen about maritime security service providers in our country. What is your explanation?

A: What is happening today is very unfortunate. Avant Garde employees are facing a serious problem. It’s unjust.

The Sri Lanka Navy, forcefully took over the Avant Garde operations and this has caused direct loss to the company and its employees.

These employees are soldiers who fought for this country during a horrific war.

We are proud to mention that we were instrumental in setting the standards and is the global benchmark of floating armouries today. This small country achieved that.

It was possible due to the immense knowledge and expertise available with many senior military officers working for the company, Avant Garde.

Competing with over 36 countries, we brought this business opportunity to Sri Lanka. Today they have lost the chance of leading a decent life or of being safe.

Q: What is the position of the company after the Navy, on the government’s instructions, took over the ship’s operations?

A: There will be hundreds of people who will refuse to be involved in this commercial enterprise due to the prevailing anarchy.

The Navy taking a private business forcibly and threatening our employees that they will be shot if they fail to comply with orders is just too much. It’s unacceptable by any standards.

Senior Navy officials told us that they will shoot our people if they get down from the ship. The Navy took over operations by sheer force and used our employees forcibly to do their work. We have lodged a complaint with the police and I have the copy of the complaint.

What is this? The Navy is threatening war heroes who were once Lieutenant Commanders and Commanders of the SLN that they will be taken to task?

They were ready to kill their own people who have retired from the service. Who gave them the authority? Where is the so-called freedom of this country? Is this correct? How can a lucrative private business function in this kind of a situation?

Q: What is the current status of the investigation into MV Avant Garde matter? Have you been summoned by the Criminal Investigations Department yet?

A: What investigations? There are no proper investigations conducted on Avant Garde.

I have been completely cleared by the Sri Lankan judicial system. They are not attacking Nissanka Senadhipathi but the war heroes who fought to free this country from the scourge of war by terminating their contracts. They received high salaries and lead a decent life. Today, I had to sign letters terminating their employment and it is really sad.

How can a man who lost a job go home? Who else will give them a job and do they know any other trade to make a living?

Q: What is the fate of your employees? How are they going to be compensated?

A: Over 6000 people have lost their jobs. Now they do not have a way to live. They do not have any income to pay even their children’s school fees, house rent and medical bills. Who is going to look after them? Can the Navy give jobs to these people?

I have employed about 3,500 security personnel who have served in the Army, Navy, Air Force and STF. All of them are retired personnel, having served with distinction and discharged their operational duties without a flaw whilst in service.

They have contributed to save the country and retired after 22 years, aged about 42.

What other options do they have? This is the prime of their life. Many of them have school-going children. Is the pension alone adequate for them? I employed them to give them an additional income and offer a decent and normal life.

Q: Questions are being raised about the manner in which the company was set up and that it enjoys a monopoly. What is your response?

A: The progress of this company is beneficial to this country, not me.

Before I took over, the Navy and RALL provided 525 transactions. I improved it and we reached 850.

Earlier, the Navy earned Rs. 80 million. I increased it to Rs. 140 million and contributed to the Navy and RALL, monthly. By the time I took over, RALL was already set up.

Did I do something wrong by making more money for the government? Is that a crime? Has the government suffered any loss due to our operations?

All our activities have been completely legal. The UN Security Council, industry leaders, maritime security companies and other countries have accepted that there is nothing illegal here.

Today, Sri Lanka is losing out on this business. With this kind of a situation, the business is moving in another direction towards other countries. It is this country’s loss.

Q: Allegations are levelled against you for attempting to bribe politicians who are now government ministers. What is your comment?

A: With regard to this matter, I am not referring to the judiciary.

The Attorney General’s Department has cleared the name of the company. Now, certain politicians are creating problems for us.

Minister Rajitha Senaratne and Patali Champika Ranawaka are trying to do something adverse. They asked money to fund their election campaigns. I have evidence to prove what I say. I did not give them the money.

One asked me for Rs.300 million during the previous election and the other, asked money for the recently held election. But I did not give them the money they asked for.

I have the documents by way of proof. You write it down without fear – I have the proof. Rajitha Senaratne wanted to do this business along with Arjuna Ranatunga.

This is the truth. I will prove from A – Z in a court of law, if I have to.

Please record the truth for the sake of the war heroes. Most of the time, everyone tends to side with politicians and hammer Avant Garde. This is a company and it is not Nissanka Senadhipathi. It belongs to war heroes.

Q: If you had proof, why did you call off the scheduled media conference? You could have made the evidence public?

A: Please listen to me. I have undergone a serious surgery. I have 27 stitches and the surgery was to remove a tumor in my abdomen. I am supposed to bed rest for 40 days. I can show you my medical reports.

Q: Are you going to live in Sri Lanka and face the situation?

A: I do not know how long I can stay without my safety being seriously compromised.

There are many threats to my life. I m scared to live in this country. Let them attack me. I have requested the Ministry of Law and Order for police protection.

These ministers are real hoodwinkers and cannot be trusted at all. Some of them might want me killed. They can employ underworld gangs to kill me. As these threats are serious, I am moving around with 20 body guards.

My life is seriously under threat at this moment. All I can say is, killing me is OK. But I do request every citizen to protect the name of our motherland, the reputation of our Navy and the dignity of our war heroes.

Q: It was reported that you still owe money to Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Limited (RALL). Is this correct?

A: How can I owe money to RALL? What about all the business I have lost?