Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe yesterday slammed JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake for painting a “wrong picture” about the ongoing investigation on Avant Garde  private security firm, headed by ex-serviceman Nissanka Senadhipathy.

The Justice Minister said although the Defence Ministry had permitted the private security firm to maintain an armory, the government was yet to ascertain whether the permission was granted in accordance with the accepted procedure.

Rajapakshe also added that the government had no influence over the “release” of Senadhipathy’s passport as it was a decision made by the judiciary. 

“The JVP Leader sounded as if we gave an order to the Magistrate to release the passport. We don’t interfere with the decisions of the judiciary and therefore, the JVP Leader’s statement amounts to contempt of court.It shows his lack of understanding of the affairs of the country’s judiciary and politics,” Rajapakshe said in a video that was posted on his official Facebook page on Thursday.

The Justice Minister said the JVP Leader should tender an apology to the nation over his “irresponsible” statement.

Addressing a conference held in Kandy on Tuesday, the JVP Leader stated he knew who took steps to return the passport of the Avant Garde owner one week after it was impounded, and went on to name two individuals in connection with the incident- including Minister of Justice Wijedasa Rajapakshe.