Nissanka Senadhipathi, Palitha Fernando released from Avant-Garde case

The Colombo High Court today acquitted and released Avant Garde Chairman Nissanka Yapa Senadhipathi and former Chairman of Rakna Lanka, Major General (Retired) Palitha Fernando over the High profile Avant Garde floating armory case.

The case was taken up before Colombo High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja today.

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Commission withdraws bribery case against Avant Garde Chairman

Dilshan Tharaka

Avant Garde Chairman Nissanka Yapa Senadhipathi and Rakna Lanka Security Company’s former Chairman, retired Major General Palitha Fernando were acquitted from the Avant Garde bribery case by the Colombo High Court. Bribery Commission’s Assistant Director General Thushari Jayaratne appearing for the Bribery Commission informed court that the Bribery Commission had decided to withdraw the case due to technical glitches in the case. Accordingly, the Assistant Director General of the Bribery Commission informed court that the case would be withdrawn subject to the right to re-prosecute the suspects on the instructions of the Bribery Commission.

Following the withdrawal of a bribery case filed against them by the Bribery Commission, Colombo High Court Judge Amal Ranaraja ordered to release the duo from all charges. President’s Counsel Ajith Pathirana appearing for the defence informed court that an appeal had been filed in the Court of Appeal, against the order of the Preliminary Magistrate rejecting the preliminary objection.

When the appeal was called before the Court of Appeal on July 15, 2021, the Bribery Commission informed that the case would be withdrawn and PC Pathirana said that the revision petition filed by his client before the Court of Appeal would be withdrawn subject to that condition. Accordingly, the judge ordered the Bribery Commission to withdraw the case and release the accused on all charges, subject to re-filing of the case.

The Bribery Commission had filed indictments against Avant-Garde Maritime Services (Pvt) Ltd Chairman Senadhipathi and Fernando for involvement in an act of bribery amounting to Rs.35.5 million regarding the Avant-Garde floating armory operation. The Director General of the Bribery Commission had filed indictments against the two accused on 47 counts under Section 17, 19, 21 and 25 of the Bribery Commission Act. The two accused were indicted for the alleged offer of a bribe of Rs. 35.5 million to Major General Palitha Fernando by Avant-Garde Chairman Senadhipathi consequent to the Avant-Garde floating armory operation between 2012 and 2014.