By Shanika Sriyananda

An anti-corruption commission yesterday directed two former Navy Commanders, a former Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and the Chairman of Avant-Garde Maritime Services Ltd. (AGMSL) to submit written objections before December 2 against naming them as respondents in the ongoing probe against Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Ltd. (RALL).

It was revealed that the former Commanders of the Sri Lanka Navy Admiral (Retd) Jayanath Colombage and Admiral (Retd) Jayantha Perera, former Additional Secretary of the Defence Ministry Sujatha Jayaratne and AGMSL Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi were named as respondents in the case against RALL, which had allegedly deployed its employees in the 2015 election campaign and issued firearms to AGMSL, violating legal procedure.

However, Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) Secretary Lacille De Silva confirmed that they had not been named as respondents in the case.

“PRECIFAC asked them to submit their views on why they shouldn’t they be held responsible in the allegations,” he said.

President’s Counsel Kuvera de Soyza and Attorneys Sugath Caldera and Nishan Premathiratne have objected to the naming of the three top defence officials and the AGMSL Chairman as respondents in the case.

Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was also present yesterday at PRECIFAC to give a statement with regard to the RALL investigations.

According to PRECIFAC sources, allegations against RALL include deploying over 500 RALL employees for the presidential campaign in 2015 in support of ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, misuse of Rs. 6 million for deploying RALL security personnel, and giving temporary employment for 150 members attached to the Civil Defence Force personnel to carry out duties of those who were deployed for the election campaign.

PRECIFAC, which had also conducted an on-board investigation of the MV Avant-Garde vessel belonging to AGMSL with ammunition and weapons at Galle Port will also probe the link between AGMSL and RALL.

The PRECIFAC Secretary said that Police investigators would record statements of these top officials of RALL and AGMSL to probe their involvement in handling illegal weapons found at the floating armoury of AGMSL.

Meanwhile, PRECIFAC is to take legal action against former RALL General Manager Major General (Retd) Gamini Jayasundara for giving false evidence to mislead the commission.

Submitting a written statement to PRECIFAC, Maj. Gen. Jayasundara had earlier confessed that he had given false evidence before the commission to protect former Defence Secretary Rajapaksa as he respected him immensely.

“PRECIFAC is in the process of recommending that the higher legal authorities take legal action against the former GM of RALL as him giving false evidence was a disgrace to the President’s appointed commission,” he said.

Former Navy Commander slams media

Former Navy Commander Admiral (Retd) Jayantha Colombage yesterday slammed the media for terming commanders who had saved the country from the clutches of terrorism as those engaged in large-scale corruption and fraud.

Admiral Colombage told the Daily FT that the commanders were only asked to give statements by PRECIFAC, which is inquiring into some matters.

“It is our bounden duty to come before the President-appointed Commission to give information to support the inquiry, but what happens is that the media carries stories of us being summoned before the commission, giving the impression that we also have had an involvement in the alleged incident. They carry our photographs too,” he said.

The former Commander citing a news story published in a paper yesterday said that it was very unfair for the media to treat them in a manner that gives the impression they were also part of the large-scale fraud and corruption.

“The media by publishing news about us in this manner is damaging our image immensely. Since 1978 to 2009, we fought for the country and have sacrificed our youth and life to destroy terrorism. Just because PRECIFAC summoned us, that doesn’t mean we have any involvement in the allegations,” he said.

Admiral Colombage said he was in UK with his daughter who is studying there, but returned to Sri Lanka as he was invited to participate in the maritime seminar – Galle Dialogue – organised by the Sri Lanka Navy and he had also been asked to give a statement at PRECIFAC.

“I came to the PRECIFAC as I want to give the statement and I have nothing to hide. I don’t want to escape the inquiry. The Sri Lanka Navy at the initial stages had to provide security for the floating armoury following the directions of the Defence Secretary. I was asked to give a statement regarding the responsibilities of the Navy in handling the security of the floating armoury,” he revealed.

The former Navy Chief said that the commission was just an inquiring arm and based on its inquiries the commission could only recommend future actions that needed to be taken against someone.

“But before all these steps, the media has named and convicted us as those who were involved in large-scale corruption and fraud. Just because the commission summons us, it doesn’t mean that we are at fault. We hope that the media will act with a sense of responsibility in future, otherwise it will do an irreparable damage to people like us,” Admiral Colombage stressed.