An objection has been filed with the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today challenging the legality of the charges laid against former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and seven others in the Avant Garde case.
A Counsel appearing on behalf of the defendants has said the anti-graft commission should have presented a written approval to the court in the first place before filing charges of this nature according to the terms of the Bribery Act.
However, the State Counsel has argued a written approval is not required, Ada Derana reporter said.
The Commission to Investigate into Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has filed action against the former Defence Secretary and the others for unlawfully authorizing the establishing of a floating armoury.
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.
