In a case filed with the Colombo District Court, Avant Garde is seeking a sum of Rs. 2.4 billion that it incurred as losses following the Sri Lanka Navy taking possession of one of its vessels.
Avant Garde notes that on the 13th of November 2015, when its vessel was anchored at the Galle Harbour, a group of navy personnel citing an order from the Navy Headquarters, had taken possession of the vessel, and that is in violation of the government laws.
The Attorney General, Chief-of-Defence-Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, former Navy Commander Rear Admiral Travis Sinniah and the present Commander of Sri Lanka Navy Rear Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe have been named as respondents.
At present, there are several questions surrounding the operations of Avant Garde during the former regime, and also regarding its floating armoury, that have gone unanswered.
What is the exact number of weapons that were taken over by security forces from the vessel that was owned by Avant Garde?
Reports surfaced, the serial numbers of some weapons seized by the security forces had been erased and some weapons did not have a serial number at all.
Has the government analyst prepared a report on the legality of the weapons and ammunition that were handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department, more than two years ago?
If not, what is the delay in the investigation?
It was said, the floating armory was a threat to national security, therefore security forces led by the Sri Lanka Navy surrounded the vessel, arrested several people and seized the illegal weapons and ammunition.
Following these events, was the law enforced in a proper manner?
The present government of good governance claimed that the operations and the floating armoury of Avant Garde were illegal, and promised to carry out an extensive investigation and bringing those accountable before the law.
