Maj Gen. Palitha Fernando and Nissanka Senadipathi arrested

Maj Gen. Palitha Fernando and Nissanka Senadipathi has been arrested by the Bribery Commission this afternoon. They were released on bail after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate.

The Commission to Investigate into Allegations of Bribery or Corruption earlier filed action against former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and 7 others for unlawfully authorizing the establishing of a floating armoury.  

The other seven persons include former Additional Secretary of the State Ministry of Defence Damayanthi Jayaratne, Major General Palitha Fernando, Major General K.B. Egodawela, former Navy Commanders Admiral Somathilake Dissanayake, Admiral Jayanath Colombage, Admiral Jayantha Perera and Avant Garde Chairman retired Major General Nissanka Senadhipathi.  

The case of the “floating armoury” had come to light after the Sri Lankan Navy boarded the vessel on October 6, 2015 to discover a massive stash of weapons on board.  There have been allegations that the Avant Garde Maritime Services was unduly favoured by the government of Mahinda Rajapaksa and as a result caused losses to the Sri Lankan Navy.