Avant-Garde raid similar to millennium city affair: Marapana

4 November 2015 06:21 pm - 27 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Law and Order Minister Tilak Marapana today told Parliament that the Police had raided the Avant-Garde floating armoury ship at the Galle Harbour soon after the election to 'score point'. While dismissing allegations over the whole matter, the Minister stated that it was similar to the millennium city affair in 2002. “The reality was that,” he said.

Speaking during an adjournment debate on the company’s dealings in Parliament, minister Marapana said facts have been distorted to create a wrong picture in the minds of the people.

He said the company had only helped the Government to find some lost arms. “It was Avant-Garde Head Nisssanka Senadipathi had only helped in recovering a portion of lost arms,” the Minister said while mentioning that even the Navy could not manage to recover them in the mid sea.

Mr. Marapana was questioned by several MPs, including TNA MP M. A. Sumanthiran as to how he could speak in Parliament when he was the lawyer retained by Mr. Senadipathi. The Minister who responded said only one side of the story would be recorded if he does not speak on the issue.

Meanwhile, Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe referring to the allegations made against Attorney General over the Avant-Garde case, also stated that nothing shady had taken place in the case.

Several MPs, including Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake alleged that the AG had tried to cover up the case.

Further Mr. Rajapaksa said it was he who prevented the arrest of Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa against whom serious allegations had been made. (Yohan Perera)

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Comments - 27

Appuhami Thursday, 05 November 2015 11:43 AM

I cant believe this. Lawyer who appears for the criminal is the minister in charge of police.

damindra J Friday, 06 November 2015 09:13 AM

That is the truth, if this is an illegal thing how can they go to the foreign waters with weapons? Mr. Marapana is correct, just because you all looking for big dramas please dont comment like fools. You all trying to ruin the major income that comes to Sri Lanka.

Premalal Friday, 06 November 2015 07:04 AM

He just lost my respect.

Nimal Friday, 06 November 2015 06:17 AM

Oh, really. Running with hare and hunting with hound, eh? If he has any ethics he should resign!

jayasingha Friday, 06 November 2015 06:01 AM

horage ammagen pena ahuwaa wage

Upul Thursday, 05 November 2015 07:02 PM

May be he is a highly respected lawyer, but there is a saying that MONEY CORRUPTS.

mnsmart Thursday, 05 November 2015 06:26 PM

Police had scored enough

S.Sriranjan Thursday, 05 November 2015 04:11 PM

Good Governance or Good Coverup!

anura Thursday, 05 November 2015 01:27 PM

Well done Sir. Minister Marapana is a well learned lawyer and a gentleman . Thanks for revealing the proper facts without taking advantage to punish political opponents.

Qatar Thursday, 05 November 2015 01:23 PM

I wonder how someone can be so stupid as you....

Jimmy Thursday, 05 November 2015 01:08 PM

Mr.Marapana is a highly respected lawyer.

Hiran Thursday, 05 November 2015 12:28 PM

Thilak marapana must not be allowed to speak in parliament regarding the avant garde case as there is a conflict of interest.

Jayan Thursday, 05 November 2015 12:17 PM

When Marapana is in Avant Garde payroll, how can we expect him to represent the interest of GoSL or Sri Lankan people? This is a total farce.

Red Kotiya Thursday, 05 November 2015 12:08 PM

Red elephant should just describe the corruption taken place here without just blabbering corruption corruption. at this rate no one will do anything if you just can accuse people cheaply

Fero Thursday, 05 November 2015 12:22 AM

We remember same rhetoric by JVP against the port city which now has been toned down. We can only assume how the port city company managed that. Did Avant Garde refuse something China Harbor Company didnt?

KaluSudha Thursday, 05 November 2015 11:40 AM

""Pusswedilla""

Wele Vidane Thursday, 05 November 2015 11:36 AM

Please give new topic to red brothers.

Vasa Thursday, 05 November 2015 11:31 AM

Govt is investigating govt minister of law and order is defending the suspect,where are your ethics Mr Marapona.this is a big blow for good governance.

Mason Thursday, 05 November 2015 11:15 AM

Avant Garde head has retained Minister Marapana as his lawyer. So, naturally he has to give a "Clean Slate". Minister Wijeyadasa joins in to support his colleguge.This is how the government of MS and RW are conducting affairs.Similar outcome in investigations being conducted in other cases will not be a surprise.It is new wine in old bottles, So cover ups and sweeping under the carpet will be the order of the day.

Jeehu Thursday, 05 November 2015 10:41 AM

Now Anura Kumara can start a new mega drama on Bunker Palace.

Giabao Thursday, 05 November 2015 09:47 AM

aiyo what a quick end to a mega tele drama...... never mind there are few more which could be dragged for much longer .................

Goliwog Thursday, 05 November 2015 09:46 AM

Not a fellow opened their gabs when the JVP leader opened the septic tank.

Goliwog Thursday, 05 November 2015 09:43 AM

Looks like we had set the thieves to catch the thieves. Sadly they are in the same gang.

Vele Vidane Thursday, 05 November 2015 06:03 AM

Playing with national security.

Wele Vidane Thursday, 05 November 2015 06:01 AM

"Bere Paluwakuth Naha" ?

janaka Thursday, 05 November 2015 05:21 AM

Where is welikada prison riot report?

bert Thursday, 05 November 2015 03:23 AM

I think its time for PM to request a proper explanation with proof from this Marapana guy. Otherwise the government will be giving ammunition to the very few outlaws in the oppsition . Motto is transparency and do not allow those hyprocrites to cultivates their lies among the general public. The government must always have a proper public relation campaign inplace to confront their false statements.

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Avant-Garde raid similar to millennium city affair: Marapana

Comments - 27

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