by Bashana Dissanayake

Although higher officials in the government states that all tenders with regard to the supply of weapons to Avant Garde had been cancelled, it is learnt that the government has signed a new agreement with Avant Garde on October 20 this year.

The Sunday Leader is in possession of a copy of the new agreement the government entered into with Avant Garde and according to it, the agreement cannot be cancelled before the expiry date.

This agreement was signed after Avant Garde gave an assurance that they will pay the outstanding dues to the government.

According to the new agreement Avant Garde had entered into with Rakna Arakshaka Lanka, which is a government owned establishment, Avant Garde Maritime Service (Pvt) Ltd. can continue in the forward operation center project, fisheries vessel project, floating armoury project in Galle, carriage of arms project by sea and air, unarmed maritime security project and with the armoury project in Rangala, without any hindrance.

Being a government owned establishment, Directors of Rakna Arakshaka Lanka and Avant Garde had entered into this agreement in the presence of Secretary of Rakna Arakshaka Lanka M. R. G. Ranatunge.

Although it is very clear that Avant Garde had entered into an agreement with Rakna Arakshaka Lanka officially, government officials claim that not to allow Avant Garde to carry out their businesses has raised questions.

Courtesy:The Sunday Leader