President orders immediate investigations on the avant guard vessel carrying illegal weapons

The President has directed officials to take immediate legal actions with regard to the Avent Garde vessel which docked illegally in the Galle harbor.

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Rajitha Senarathna stated that the directive was issued during a ministerial meeting held yesterday.

Meanwhile, Navy stated that its initial investigations found weapons in the Avent Garde vessel which has docked in the Galle harbor.

A senior spokesman of the Navy stated that the documents submitted by the Avent Garde to the Navy before its arrival to the harbor had not mentioned that it is carrying weapon.

At the same time, the documents provided by the vessel authorities informed Navy that the vessel is captained by a Sri Lankan.

However, a Ukrainian captain was found in charge of the Vessel when it arrived at the Galle Harbor.

The Navy spokesman said that Sri Lanka Navy has the authority to inspect the vessel onboard as it had been flying the Sri Lankan flag.

However, Sri Lanka Navy has initiated a special investigation with regard to the Avent Garde Vessel as the information provided by the vessel authorities are contradictory.

When a journalist questioned about further investigation with regard to the incident, minister Senarathna together with Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka had this to say.