Five accused in Avant Garde case granted bail

News

Five accused in the Avant-Garde illegal floating armoury case were granted bail after being indicted at the trial-at-bar at the Colombo High Court today (Sept 27).

Each of the suspects were ordered to be released on cash bails worth Rs 500,000 and two surety bails worth each worth Rs 2.5 million.

Thirteen suspects face 7,573 charges filed by the Attorney General for the operation of ships owned by Avant-Garde Maritime Services in which firearms and ammunition had been stored illegally, and also for providing false evidence over the case.

Among those granted bail were Retired Army Generals Adhikari Egodawela and Palitha Fernando, National Police Commission Secretary Saman Dissanayake, and former Rakna Lanka Chairman Victor Samaraweera.

However, eight other suspects including Avant-Garde Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi had not appeared before the court to receive indictments today.

The case would be taken up before Justices Manjula Thilakaratne, Aditya Patabendige, and Dhammika Ganepola for further hearing on November 9.