The questioning had been done at the residence of the former Defence Secretary, police sources told Asian Mirror on Friday evening.

 

The security firms are under investigation over its floating armories and other alleged malpractices during the rule of the former government.

 

Avant Garde private security firm – which is owned by Nissanka Senadhipathi, a retired Military officer - is believed to have close links with former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

Major Nissanka Senadhipathi was commissioned in the Sri Lanka Army and graduated from the Pakistan Military Academy as a direct enlisted officer to the Commando Regiment. He was also a member of theAnti-Hijack and Hostage Release Unit of the Commando Regiment and deployed at the Colombo international airport. Due to his performance, Senadhipathi was also handpicked to serve as the personal bodyguard of the Sri Lankan President.

A few years ago, Avant Garde Maritime Services (Pvt) Ltd entered into a joint venture with Government Owned Business Undertaking (GOBU) of Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Ltd (RALL) of Sri Lanka to “provide infrastructure facilities for international maritime security services.”

It is widely believed that the company named Rakna Arakshaka Lanka is a brainchild of former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.