President Maithripala Sirisena instructed relevant Government officials today to cancel all deals with Avant Garde Maritime Services (Pvt) Ltd and hand over the maritime security operations back to the Navy.
The President also instructed weapons on the floating armory operated by the Avant Garde to be handed back.
The decision was taken following a special meeting held today with government officials, the military and other stake holders.
The President also instructed the IGP to carry out a comprehensive investigations with the support of the Attorney General’s department about possible corruption and illegal activities related to the company.
The Prime Minister, Parliamentarians and heads of defense and legal sectors attended the meeting.
On Monday Minister of Law and Order Tilak Marapana resigned from his ministerial portfolio over the controversy surrounding the Avant Garde security firm.
The Minister at a press conference on Monday morning at his residence announced his decision to step down from his post.
Marapana, who had represented the security firm in the center of controversy, came under fire for his remarks defending the firm during last Wednesday’s parliamentary session.
Senior cabinet ministers and a number of civil society leaders expressed their opposition on Marapana’s statement regarding the Avant Garde floating armory at the parliament.
Marapana defended the security firm dismissing that there is anything illegal about the Avant Garde vessel carrying unauthorized weapons.. He said it was due to lack of understanding about the floating armory which was creating confusion.
anonymous / November 11, 2015
Wijayadasa R, start packing your bags ASAP. You have insulted the famous ‘Vel Vidane’ of the century. You are not just a thief but a coward as well. Your ‘Vachee Sanskarayo’ have let you down badly. Metta!
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Ordinary Lankan / November 11, 2015
Wijedasa too got over 100 million to guard Avant garde, shameless , cheap , corrupt politico , should get kicked out from Cabinet
Maithri should be commended for his decision though late to cancel all Avant Garde deals
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soma / November 12, 2015
Ordinary Citizen
You seem to be in possession of very valuable information.
Please make them available to the Criminal Investigation Department.
Soma
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Ordinary Lankan / November 12, 2015
What is the whole meaning of it when 03 most senior officials of AG dept endorsed arrest of Gota over Avant garde , AG dodged it , perhaps on Political instructions.
Watch full live Sirasa Satana debate over 2 hours, Police Spokesman & 02 well known Lawyers did that, it’s on internet. Watch & comment.
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bo / November 12, 2015
Not political instructions,but from his paymasters to save their own hides. Arrest and charge them, sort out their future at the courts.
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rew / November 12, 2015
He should be sent home for nothing else but his outburst in Parliament about this pending case.
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Burt / November 12, 2015
Don’t you think people are taken for a ride? These are all “he said: she said” statements. On a serious issue like this if the President was serious you would have got a press release through his office. Seen none to date.
On the other hand “I know the Law Rajapaksa” says this.
“Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said today that President Maithripala Sirisena had only instructed the respective authorities to find out the possibilities of handing over the operations of Avant- Garde to the Sri Lanka Navy.
Contradicting Minister Rajitha Senaratne’s claims, Minister Rajapakshe, who also attended the meeting with the President, said that no specific instruction was given to revoke the agreement with the Avant Garde Company.”
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mj / November 12, 2015
All the Stolen gold and $.. by MARA..will stay on bottom of the deep sea for ever..
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words / November 12, 2015
All the fictional stolen gold and $……
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Amarasiri / November 12, 2015
RE: President Orders To Cancel All Deals With Avant Garde
“Marapana, who had represented the security firm in the center of controversy, came under fire for his remarks defending the firm during last Wednesday’s parliamentary session.”
“Marapana defended the security firm dismissing that there is anything illegal about the Avant Garde vessel carrying unauthorized weapons.. He said it was due to lack of understanding about the floating armory which was creating confusion.”
Very good move and good start by the cabinet and the president.
Now how Many Marapana Rajapaksa cronies are still out there preventing Yaha Palanaya? They need to be taken out one by one.
What will they say about the Whole Van abductions,and killings and many other crimes?
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Analyst / November 12, 2015
@Amarasiri, good to see you back missed your comments. Hope you’re well.
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rew / November 12, 2015
Hoping this is one down, (Marapana), and More to go (Wijedasa Rajapase, RW, Mahendran and MS if not careful himself)
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thondamanny / November 11, 2015
So……………. what marapana said was true.
There is no problen there………………………But this Sirisena does not understand what Marapana explained when he said permission to conduct such operation has been issued to Avant garde by the UN.
How could then the Navy conduct operations ????????
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cimba / November 11, 2015
fool its a way forward for navy Buccaneering and rubbing shoulders with the west plus its upkeep with the billions earn t that can be shared with the rest of forces.
My3 Son will be in charge not Roshita.
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bo / November 11, 2015
UN authorized? So, UN authorizes illegal gun running in the high seas and changing regimes at the point of guns.
People blurt out anything thinking that they could get away without accounting for their crooked deals, and assuming that their countrymen are a dumb lot.
Time the whole operation is abandoned.
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batch / November 13, 2015
“”Time the whole operation is abandoned. “”
Traversity, would be loss of billions..
Ceylon crossed this river several times before -enmasse in 68.
Simply, nationalise the Avant Garde the way passa did too;
do unto him.
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shankar / November 11, 2015
UN does not run our country.
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soma / November 12, 2015
It does.
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Native Vedda / November 12, 2015
somass
“It does.”
You seem to be in possession of very valuable information. Please make them available to “we the people”.
Let us sack all those who claiming to run this country. We could save hell of a lot of money and stop the destruction.
Please note there is reliable medical treatment available for delirium at hospitals in this island.
Get well soon.
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maalumiris / November 13, 2015
Sure it does
You only have to see how much we are bending over backwards (and forwards) to keep them happy.
There is treatment available for blindness as well ! :)
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punchinilame / November 11, 2015
If the Forces can undertake business ventures like Tourism nad allied trades, surely
the Navy can take over the complete running of this Security firm that has a good return
acording to Marapona, their Legal Consultant. This step will prevent other business
minded individuals trying to jump the gun on a unique business venture, which of course
Gota stepped in with his RALL. If the whole matter is reviewed with transparency,
political henchmen will keep away is my guess.
MS has a chance to display his seriousness in good governanace this one occasion and
must not miss it.
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EDWIN RODRIGO / November 11, 2015
Don’t be fooled by this MS modus operandi (Governance by Reports).
1- Appoint special presidential committee to study and report.
2- Wait.
3- If a Report on the report is actually submitted by the special presidential committee, go to Step 4. Else go to Step 7.
4- Send the report to the relevant Authority (Ministry, Police, Attorney General) for study and report on the report.
5-If the relevant authority submits a report on the report (probability being about 0.0 (0 %)) go to Step 6. Else go to Step 7.
6- Wait until everyone forgets about the problem. (Known as the pre- burial stage.)
7- Bury it and go to Step 8
8- Wait for next problem.
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Eric / November 11, 2015
One party robs and loses the election then the next party comes in and robs expecting to win next but they are wiser and take as much as possible for their very own future generations.
Mankolla palanaya appe lankawe.
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bo / November 12, 2015
May be learning from your GOD! The clown that clutches a brass door knob for props and effects.
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Truth / November 12, 2015
President Maithri appears to be following the footsteps of President Mahinda in usurping the powers of the Judges, to judge this case and issue a verdict. He could have asked the courts to expedite the judgement and if Avant Garde is guilty, then taken this step.
Short circuiting the courts does not provide investor confidence. Without investor confidence and the Rule of Law, we are doomed.
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shankar / November 12, 2015
one thing about maithri is he makes a decision firmly,unlike wishy washy ranil who is really a good 02 to someone else who is no 01 because he will work cooperatively and not stab him in the back.I remember former cheap justice negotiating with ranil about a diplomatic assignment in order to vacate his post and then got a letter from maithri to buckeroff.
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K.A Sumanasekera / November 12, 2015
While our President who promised to look after the interests of the 70 % inhabitant population is busy trying to sort out shit fights between business dudes over future commissions, the important issues go unnoticed.
Illankai Thamil Arasa Kittu elected Vellala CM and his NCP Government have passed a resolution to change Nagadeepa to “Nainathive”.
Mr Faisal Mustafa says no way he will allow that to happen.
Thank God Mr Mustafa is there to protect our great majority of the inhabitant population.
Because our Ven Rathne seems to be on Sabbatical after his hard work for the last 18 months to defeat Sinhala Buddhist Power with the help of Venerable Gnanissara.
It was also heartening to see our Muslim brothers in Colombo handing out Water Bottles to quench the thirst of our poor Dalits, who were lining up under the scorching Srilankan Sun to pay homage to Venerable Sobitha..
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Mallaiyuran / November 12, 2015
Sumane, Nainativu is Telegu name. Tamils want the original name. That is ok man leave that aside now.
I know Pisa Must Appa doesn’t want to entangled with Coorays. So he is ready. Is your passport ready with the Chinese visa to spend some time and money with the yellow girls at the Colombo Port. I forgot it man; please tell me once again, how do you call that island near to Colombo Harbor? Pong Cing?
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BBS Rep / November 12, 2015
Don’t be fooled by this seemingly great gesture by My3. This is just a white washing excercise and will go down the way described by Edwin Rodrigo above.
By the way it is My3 in violation of the peoples wishes who appointed Marapana as Minister of Law and Order (sic). Worse still there were unresolved allegations of criminal activity and corruption against Marapana at the time My3 appointed him as Minister. If My3 is real and has any shame he should also resign for being the architect of this travesty as would be the practice in most democracies.
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Patriot / November 12, 2015
Not only My3, Ranil too should resign because he was the one who recommended Marapona.
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Arun / November 12, 2015
Dear Wijayadasa Rajapaksha,
Who are you decide on a person be arrested or not. It is a function of the Judiciary. Pse resign. You are sweet talker on corruption for the purpose of getting elected. It is clear now based on your own admission you prevented AG to act on his own will (It is not an excuse for AG). Hope the President removes you as a mark of respect to Ven Maduluwave Sobitha Thero.
Get out from Yahapalana Govt.
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shankar / November 12, 2015
why get out.Kick the bugger out.Nobody is indispensable,let all those who think they are fuck off out of politics.The more we get rid of and clean up the parliament the better.WE are ranked 93 out of 140 countries for trust in politicians.We are always sending untrustworthy individuals into parliament.
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Edwin Rodrigo / November 12, 2015
Arun, a kind suggestion. Tell Wijedasa to get out of the present Government. Telling him to get out of the Yahapalana Govt is something he cannot do because it is something that does not exist.
And don’t forget that he is a Rajapakse. May not be directly related to the Moustach, but one has to be cautious. He may be there as part of the rear guard action of the Raja Passas, you know, to take care of the Jara Passas of the Raja Passas.
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Gamarala / November 12, 2015
Avant Garde was a company formed in secrecy by politicians/officials of the GOSL with their `friends’. It is clear that certain retired officials of the Forces with the blessings of Gotabhaya Rajapaksa formed this company and signed an agreement with the GOSL. This is typical of most agreements signed during the Mahinda Rajapaksa Presidency.
The MPs who objected to this questioned WHETHER CORRECT PROCEDURE WAS FOLLOWED WHEN SIGNING THE AGREEMENT AND WHETHER AVANT GARDE MISUSED THE PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT WHEN HANDLING WEAPONS.
The position taken by Marapana & Wijedasa was that the agreement was legal. In `strict legal terms’ the position taken by Marapana and Wijedasa may be correct that the agreement is legal. The company would have spent their massive wealth on hiring lawyers (who are now Ministers) to cover themselves.
However the question is whether correct procedure was followed when GR and few others signed agreements on behalf of GOSL with their friends in secrecy and whether Avant Garde exceeded and misused their responsibilities.
President Sirisena should be commended for cancelling this agreement.
IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT RANIL WICKRAMASINGHE, WHO SOME CONSIDER AS `MR CLEAN & A GENIUS’ HAS NOT UTTERED A WORD ON THIS SCANDALOUS AFFAIR.
Is it because he is also involved or has his party also used Avant Garde money for UNP campaign?
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Smith / November 12, 2015
“A WORD ” your first step to ignorance.
“Is it because he is also involved or has his party also used Avant Garde money for UNP campaign? “
The advantage of lying low like a buddha. boa constrictor.
the capacity to use men ; win without joining issue.
shap shap shape Lankan university product.
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Arun / November 12, 2015
You have hit the nail on the head. The procedure adopted needs extensive scrutiny. Why Admiral Dissanayake retired to join Avant Guard. ? The cash transactions to political entities? Admiral Colomboge to be made Chairmen Shipping Corp. Nigerian visit by senior military officers etc etc. Immediate arrest is possible for not declaring weapons on board, alteration of serial no and having unauthorised weapons on board.
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Mallaiyuran / November 12, 2015
Navy has to stop arms export and have to start rice export!
Cat is guarding the milk!
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Wera / November 12, 2015
The operation to provide armed escorts to maritime vessels was initiated by the US with the backing of the UN. This was done due to the Somali pirates hijacking maritime shipping vessels. That the US created the failed state of Somalia is another matter. GR decided to get rid of all the other players providing this service and give sole authority to Avant Guard. With scant oversight and almost no documentation arms were loaned from the state armories to a private company. Not only did Avant guard provided maritime security it is also involved in domestic security thru arrangments with Rakna Lanka another GR created security firm owned by the Government and operated in liaison with the military. GR is the brain behind all this. He never expected to be out of office. His was a lifetime appointment as he wrongly assumed. The incestuous system he created gave rise to unbridled corruption from which the Rajapakshes benefitted immensely. Other players also benefitted including some in the current government. Arms were eventually supplied not only for maritime security purposes but also to various African outfits. These were sales of weapons. Rather than accounting for the weapons recovered from the LTTE they were sold thru Avant guard. These are the diabolical mind sets of the Rajapakshes. Forget the profits and shut the whole thing down as fast as you can. It has already threatened to unhook and destabilize the government as it was probably intended by it’s creators i.e. the Rajapakshes.
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Silva / November 12, 2015
There you are! My3 is taking the overt first dictatorial steps in the boots of MR! This is exactly what MR did to waylay Daya Gamage’s and Kothalawala’s businesses. How can this My3 bugger take such a decision? All those fools who were making a big gungho about Avant Garde were in effect referring to take legal action in keeping with Yahapalanaya concept. Now what? Is this kalaneethiya or what? The implications would be that some party from My3 faction or the like will take over the business, or Avant Garde itself would reappear in a different guise or Sri Lanka will lose this business and the private shipping lines will be looking for an alternative country. This is high noon plundering of a private venture and foreign investors will abhor this country as plague.
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maali karunaratne / November 12, 2015
Business is taken over by the government. Do we know what is happening to the pending investigation. I hope that is not taken over.
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Shri / November 12, 2015
Minister Wijedasa can you explain how you earned this collosal amount of money to buy the land from the De Silva’s on High Level Road Colombo 5. you are also building a high rise building on that
property.
Please explain to the general public how you earned all this illleagal money
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Arun / November 12, 2015
Gamarala’s comment has hit the nail on the head. The procedure adopted needs extensive scrutiny. Why Admiral Dissanayake retired to join Avant Guard. ? The cash transfers to the politically powerful? Admiral Colomboge to be made Chairmen Shipping Corp. Nigerian visit by senior military officers etc etc. Immediate arrest is possible for not declaring weapons on board, alteration of serial no and having unauthorised weapons on board.
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Patriot / November 12, 2015
The Diaspora Coolies and Hurrah boys should know that MY3 has not cancelled anything. It is Rajitha shooting his usual spiff without any substance. Sea Marshals cannot be provided by a Navy of a Sovereign state because there are international conventions about this. Hence the reason the UN Security council authorized private companies to provide Sea Marshals. Only thing the Navy can do the most is maintain the armory for the Sea Marshals. This is the problems when small heads can discuss only puny issues. Get a life move on.
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thondamanny / November 12, 2015
Wera…….. Why shut down a cash cow?
is it sour grapes for you that Gota had left you out ?
Malicious speculation san proof is a contagious dicease that had engulfed the people of Sri lanka for a long time.
Envious, Jealousy are the root causes.
leave aside all these, GOSL must set up a panel to overseee the operation of Avant Garde and the business must contonue unabated.
KILLING AN EXISTING & A PROFITABLE BUSINESS IS NOT THE ANSWER AND TO PROBE HOW IT WAS FORMED. ALL THATS NEED TO BE DONE IS TO INCULCATE CORRECTNESS TO THE PROCEEDURE.
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Galle-Nana / November 12, 2015
How this pimpy Wejedasa tells in the parliament that he will not allow GOTA to be arrested. He is in the wrong job. Business of protecting Rajapasas. GOTA is a main suspect of many major crimes. Many evidences produced to prove that Yousitha is main suspects of Thajudeen’s murder. Still Yahapalanaya is bias and playing marry-ground. No arrest. Killing the time. Baby Seya’s murder main suspect was Kondaya after arresting him fact came out.
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bo / November 12, 2015
Fine, Then arrest Wijayadasa, IGP, it is your turn now; here is a corrupted minister protecting an individual.
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Muhammed Fazl / November 13, 2015
The 50 million Rupee question is, how was it even remotely possible for a die-hard UNPer (Tilak Marapana) to appear in the first place for a die-hard Rajapaksa-backer (Nissanka Senadhipathi) who was hell-bent on defeating the UNP and destroying the country?? Does not conscience play a role ever in the minds of traitorous lawyers??
Marapana SHOULD resign from his Parliamentary position as well!
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justice / November 19, 2015
The “comprehensive investigation” ordered must include the existence of illegal weapons on board Avant Garde, how they were procured, why they were procured, to whom issued – at what price & at whose orders, where these weapons are now & who ordered their transfer to a new location.
The existence of these weapons made the entire enterprise illegal, but this fact appears to be ignored/suppressed.
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