Sri Lanka: Floating Armory Scandal — Even “Selfies ” were taken inside the Court!
Question is, will that be a landmark case for the current government’s anti-corruption mission or we are just ahead of a couple of episodes which will achieve nothing but making a mockery of justice.
by Our Correspondent
( October 1, 2016, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The story already went viral but there is something else behind the screen. All eyes are on the country’s judiciary when the Magistrate Court started the litigation on one of the most important and corrupted businesses in the country’s history. Avant Garde, a private entity on the maritime service and security, headed by a person who served in the Sri Lankan Army.
Therefore, Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption and bribery body filed a case against the company; hearing of the case was on yesterday. Gihan Pilapitiya, Chief Magistrate in Colombo granted bail to Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, former defence secretary, Nissanka Senadipathi, Chairman of Avant Garde Maritime Services,three former Navy Commanders, and few more retired security personals. One suspect, who was much involved in bending the law of the country is on the run and fled the country, therefore the defendant lawyers have informed the Court about her absence.
According to the report, “the seven were held on charges filed by the Bribery Commission, of allegedly causing the Government a loss of Rs. 11.4 billion, by allowing Avant-Garde Maritime Services (Pvt.) Ltd. to operate a floating armoury.”
“Rajapaksa and six others out of eight were released on a cash bail of Rs.200000 each, and two sureties of Rs.10 million each. They were also banned from travelling abroad,” news story published in various outlets of Colombo, elaborated.
However, this is not the complete story. True, total numbers of suspects including three former Navy Commanders are eight. But strangely, one of the three accused retired navy commanders was not mentioned in anywhere. Neither photographs nor videos published, even many news stories excluded his name. Strange, isn’t it?
Somathillaka Dissanayake, Retired Admiral, the man who is equally responsible for making the Sri Lankan Navy as a fragile, weakened and reckless entity is the prime suspect of this “illegal” arms deal. Sources reveals, his daughter is still working in the Avant Garde. It was his tenure, this notorious arms deal company flourished. Immediately after the retirement, he jumps into the Avant Grad for one million as monthly salary and other unlimited as well as unaccountable benefits.
Meanwhile, it’s amusing to see most of the suspects came to the Courtroom with their medals “grabbed” during the service and showed before the country the true colours of their medals. They sat together and many photographs and videos were taken. Some of them even published on social media during hearing of the case.
This selfie man might have thought, that is his home where the litigation’s hearing is taking place!
One lawyer has even taken a selfie during the litigation which is strictly prohibited in anywhere in the world. But, in Sri Lanka, those lawyers’ behaviour entirely differs from the principles of rule of law. Isn’t it time to take necessary and appropriate actions to ensure the ethics and norms of the Judiciary? The country is hailing the strength of the Bar Association, Judicial Service Commission and other initiatives established to monitor the service quality. This selfie man might have thought, that is his home where the litigation’s hearing is taking place.
Meanwhile, Gotabaya Nandasena Rajapaksa, former Defence Secretary had taken out his medals holding coat on the moment before stepped into the jail. Subsequently, after seen what Gota did, his sister in law’s confidante former navy Commander Jayanath Colombage did the same. It was much more than that, he even took out the tie and came out from the courtroom like a pet who was released from a cage.
All suspects were released on bail. In fact, they knew it in advance.
Question is, will that be a landmark case for the current government’s anti-corruption mission or we are just ahead of a couple of episodes which will achieve nothing but making a mockery of justice.
Over to you, your honourable leaders of good governance! Show the people you have balls!
