Avant Garde owes Rakna Rs 900 m

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

Avant-Garde Security Services (Pvt) Limited, a commercial security solution provider for commercial, industrial and residential establishments owes a hefty Rs. 900 million to the state subsidiary, Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Limited, according to the Chairman of the latter organization, Victor Samaraweera. Making submissions during the second public hearing by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources, and Privileges on September 18, Samaraweera said, Avant Garde owed RALL payments since 2012.

When questioned by the Commission as to what action was taken by Samaraweera in the capacity of RALL Chairman, to recover money, Samaraweera said a number of reminders were sent and RALL officers visited Avant-Garde Security Services on s numerous times to discuss the matter but though not a penny had been recovered.

Avant-Garde Security Services and RALL have signed seven agreements to enter in to joint- ventures since latter’s inception.

However, RALL has entered in to joint-ventures only with the Avant-Garde Security Services and with the other companies, it has only been providing services.

Making a massive revelation, Samaraweera confirmed before the Commission that RALL possessed 3473 weapons out of which only 89 had been licensed.

The RALL weapons are stored in armouries in the Naval Complex in Welisara, Special Task Force camp in Katukurunda, Galle Naval Camp and ships owned by the Avant-Garde Security Services located in the Red Sea.