Permission to transfer weapons to another vessel

17 July 2015 04:17 pm

A request made by the Ceylon Shipping Company to transfer the stock of weapons from the controversial floating armoury belonging to the Avant Garde company into another ship was granted today by Galle Chief Magistrate Nilupuli Lankatilleka.

The Magistrate made this order after the CID informed court that the Attorney General did not have any objection the the shipping company’s request.

The shipping company had earlier informed court that the ship which was very old could develop an oil leak causing environmental damage or some other environmental danger and that its insurance cover had also expired and on this basis had requested a court order to transfer the armory into another ship.

Meanwhile, lawyers appearing for the Avant Garde shipping company told Court that the Attorney General had informed the CID that he would not file action against the Avant Garde shipping company under the Firearms Ordinance, the Explosives Ordinance and the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

The CID confirmed what the AG had said and told Court it was conducting further investigations.

The Magistrate directed the CID to file the written advice received from the AG in court on the request made by the Avant Garde shipping company.

The case was postponed for August 27.

President’s Counsel Kuwera De Soysa, Attorneys Asoka Weerasuriya and Dulinda Weerasuriya appeared for the Avant Garde Company while President’s Counsel Razeek Zarook with A.P.G. Sarathchndra appeared for the Ceylon Shipping Company.

ASP B.S.Tissera and IP Nishantha Silva made submissions on behalf of the CID.  (D.G. Sugathapala)