High Court recalls the warrant issued to arrest Palitha Fernando

By T.Farook Thajudeen

Colombo High Court yesterday while recalling the warrant issued for the arrest of retired Major General Palitha Fernando released the passports of the sureties of Mr. Fernando   
High Court Judge Sashi Mahendran released the passports to the sureties on considering the submissions made by Counsel Ajith Pathirana appearing on behalf of Mr. Fernando and pleaded to release the passports back to its owners as Mr. Fernando is presently in remand custody.  

President’s Counsel Gamini Marapona who appeared for Avant-Garde Maritime Services (Pvt) Ltd chairman, retired Army Major Nissanka Senadhipathi filed a medical report issued by a Singaporean doctor which was countersigned by a solicitor in Singapore and authenticated by the Sri Lankan mission in Singapore to establish that Mr. Senadhipathi is undergoing treatment in Singapore for an ailment. Judge Mahendran fixed the case to call on September 17.  

High Court Judge Sashi Mahendran released the passports to the sureties on considering the submissions made by Counsel Ajith Pathirana

On an earlier call date Colombo High Court issued warrants for the arrest of both the suspects Senadhipathi and Fernando for failing to appear before the court in the Avant-Garde Floating Armory bribery case. The Bribery Commission had filed indictments against the two accused for the alleged offer of a bribe of Rs.35.5 million to Maj. Gen. Fernando by Avant-Garde Chairman Senadhipathi consequent to the Avant-Garde floating armory operation between 2012 and 2014.   

 The Commission had filed indictments against the two accused on 47 counts under Sections 17, 19, 21 and 25 of the Bribery Commission Act.  

 Presidential Commission to investigate allegations of high profile fraud and corruption began its investigations into the matter.   

The investigations had revealed that a large income through marine security services that was supplied by the Navy had been lost because of Avant Garde came to the scene which had misused the resources of Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Limited.  

Several joint accounts connected to the two companies came to light and was also revealed that Avant-Garde used weapons belonging to Rakna Lanka to provide their services.    

Presidential Commission to investigate allegations of high profile fraud and corruption began its investigations into the matter