The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has decided to lodge complaints with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over the involvement of Avant-Garde in maritime security operations previously conducted by Rakna Arakshaka Lanka in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Navy.
COPE Chairman Dr. Nishantha Samarawewe said the decision to involve the private company in the maritime security operations had resulted in a significant financial loss to the state.
Officials of Rakna Arakshaka Lanka were recently summoned before COPE, where the committee questioned them about the decision to involve Avant-Garde in the operations.
During the proceedings, COPE member MP Dayasiri Jayasekara also questioned officials about whose authority or requirement led to the agreements being entered into with Avant-Garde.
Following the findings, Samarawewe said steps would be taken to terminate all agreements related to the company and explore avenues to recover the financial losses incurred by the state.
He further said legal action would be pursued against those responsible for facilitating the arrangement.
