Avant Garde claims to have paid Rs.3.1b

Documents have been submitted by Avant Garde Commission of Inquiry to Probe Corruption and Abuse of Power claiming an estimated Rs 3.1 billion was paid to both the Sri Lanka Navy and its linked company Rathna Arakshaka Lanka from October 2012 to December 2014. 

Rear admiral Wattewa, who was summoned as a witness before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry, was cross examined by lawyers. At the hearing of the PRECIFAC into the inquiry into alleged wrongdoings of Rathna Arakshaka Lanka on 14 of January 2015 Counsel Nishan Premathiratne, for a period of four hours,  informed the legal team representing Avant Garde Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi, in respect of certain matters including figures submitted as the Navy income prior to setting up of the Galle floating armoury in October 2012 and disputed the figures which had been submitted as being the earnings of the Sri Lanka Navy. 

Further, the counsel of Avant Guarde had also submitted to the Presidential Commission detailed payments made to SL Navy and Rathna Arakshaka Lanka inclusive of cheque numbers from October 2012 to December 2014.  

In total during the period it was submitted to the Commission that Avant Guarde had paid the navy a sum exceeding Rs 1.6 billion and in addition a sum of Rs 1.5 billion to Rathna Arakshaka Lanka which cumulatively had exceeded Rs 3.1 Billion. 

Furthermore the payment has also been submitted with supporting documents to the Presidential Commission on the total number of operations done in respect of the Galle floating armoury when Avant Garde and Rathna Lanka were handling the operations of the armoury: the number of operations had increased and touched 800 per month, which had been an increase in number from 600 per month when the SL Navy were running the operation.  

 The next inquiry has been fixed for 21 January.