The threatened revolt by several powerful ministers at the special cabinet meeting today over the Avant Garde controversy, fizzled out with the news of Law and Order Minister Tilak Marapana tendering his resignation.

As a result the speculated fireworks did not take place and the hour long meeting ended with President Maithripala Sirisena promising to fast track the probe on possible corruption related to the maritime security firm.

The President had told the cabinet that he would inform them within 7 days on how the government expects to proceed on the Avant Garde case in future.

At the outset the President had told the cabinet that he had received Marapana’s resignation letter.

The President had advised the ministers to sort things out within the government group without making the issue a free for all in the open.

Rajitha Senaratne, one of the ministers who has been calling for stringent action had gone on to say that some ministers were attempting to stall the probe into Avant Garde with the help of some officials from the Attorney General’s department.

Meanwhile Minister Champika Ranawaka, too had voiced similar concerns.

He had noted that the maritime security firm was dealing with some terrorist outfits in African countries.

Ranwaka had stressed that these allegations should be probed in a comprehensive manner.

Meanwhile Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, who too has been criticised for defending the Avant Garde had told his cabinet colleagues that he was only endorsing the assertions of the Attorney General.

Rajapakshe had gone on to say that he was not defending the firm but only requesting to take any action based on solid evidence.

He had gone on to criticise the utterances made by some of his colleagues noting that these irresponsible statements have only gone on to make matters worse.

Several other ministers too had gone on to urge the President on the need to accelerate investigations and bring to a speedy conclusion the issue related to the maritime security firm.