PRECIFAC prepares final report on Avant-Garde

By Shanika Sriyananda

The Commissioners of the anti-corruption commission are preparing their final report on the alleged illegal firearms handling by Avant-Garde Maritime Services Ltd. (AGMSL), sources said.

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) has already concluded the testifying of top Government officials of the previous Government including former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Navy commanders and the AGMSL Chairman Nissanka Senadipathi.

“The final report on the probe against AGMSL will be handed over to the President Maithripala Sirisena as soon as possible,” a PRECIFAC spokesman told the Daily FT.

PRECIFAC had previously carried out an ‘on-board’ investigation at the MV Avant-Garde vessel found with ammunitions and weapons at Galle Port to find out the link between AGMSL and Rakna Arakshana Lanka Ltd. (RALL).

AGMSL Chairman Senadipathi was summoned before PRECIFAC and questioned on AGMSL’s floating armoury found with a haul of weapons and ammunitions.

The former Justice Ministry Additional Secretary Damayanthi Jayaratne had earlier accepted that firearms to RALL were issued violating proper legal procedures.

They had testified before PRECIFAC Commissioners – High Court Judges Padman Surasena, Amendra Seneviratne, Vikum Kaluarachchi, Gihan Kulatunga and former Auditor General B.A. Premathilake.

The Spokesman said that once the final report was submitted to the President Sirisena he would direct the authorities to take legal action considering the findings of the PRECIFAC investigation.

“He will decide what to do next and who should be punished,” spokesman added.