Navy takes custody of 2,410 firearms from Avant Garde

The Navy has taken custody of 2,410 firearms, belonging to 20 maritime security firms, that had been kept at ‘Mahanuwara’ ship owned by Avant Garde. With that, the floating armoury concept has become a thing of the past, says the Navy.

Each of the weapons had been checked, which took nearly two weeks to complete and ended at 10.00 am on November 27.

They are now being kept at the southern arsenal of the Navy.

Pistol goes missing

One of the firms has complained to Galle port police that a pistol has been misplaced from while in the custody of Avant Garde.

When contacted, a top official of Avant Garde said the Navy was in the custody of all the weapons and had transported them, for which the Navy deployed 40 of its men.

Avant Garde only rented the ship, he said.

The commander of the southern naval command has asked Galle port police to check and issue a certificate that all weapons in the ship have been handed over to the Navy.

Police were due to carry out the check yesterday (19).

Senadhipathi before commission today

Meanwhile, Avant Garde chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi is due to appear before the presidential commission today to give a statement with regard to arms deals by Rakna Lanka.