Rajitha, Champika and Arjuna ask IGP to probe bribery claims

Ministers Champika Ranawaka, Dr Rajitha Seenaratne and Arjuna Ranatunga today requested the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to investigate the allegations made against them by the Chairman of Avant Garde Private Limited, Nissanka Senadhipathi.

In a joint letter to the IGP, the Cabinet ministers state that Major (Rtd) Nissanka Senadhipathi in an interview given to a newspaper had accused the ministers of acting against the Avant Garde company due to him declining to pay them “bribes”.

The Chairman had also claimed that he can prove the requests for bribes.

Minister of Heath Dr Senaratne, Minister of Ports and Shipping Arjuna Ranatunga and Minister of Megapolice and Western Development Champika Ranawaka charge that the their credibility have been gravely tarnished by the comments made by Senadhipathi in the interview. 

They further stressed that no requests for bribes or campaign funding were made by them to Nissanka Senadhipathi or anyone affiliated to Avant Garde Private Limited.

The ministers say that their opposition to the private security firm is a national duty based on the need of the people and good governance mandate and not hostility towards the private transaction and businesses of Nissanka Senadhipathi.

Therefore they request the IGP to investigate the allegations made against them by the Avant Garde chairman and take appropriate action.