Marapana resigns as Law and Order Minister

Law and Order Minister Tilak Marapana has tendered his resignation from his Ministerial post to President Maithripala Sirisena.

The Minister resigned over the controversy involving him on the Avant Garde issue.

Speaking to reporters today,?Marapana said that he had tendered his resignation following concerns raised over his stand on the allegations raised against?Avant Garde.

He said that he met Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe last night and discussed the issue and this morning he had sent his letter of resignation to the President.

Marapana said that some Ministers and the public had raised suspicions?that police investigations into the?Avant Garde issue may not be unbiased since the police comes under his Ministry and since he felt some of the allegations against Avant Garde were baseless.

The United National Party (UNP) member said that he will continue to remain a member of Parliament despite resigning from his Ministerial post.

Marapana, who was the lawyer for the Director of the company, had recently told Parliament that some of the allegations raised against Avant Garde were baseless.

The statement drew strong reactions from some Ministers in his Government and civil society saying the investigations into Avant Garde may get influenced by Marapana.

A heated exchange of words had taken place last week during the cabinet meeting on the? Avant Garde issue with Ministers even threatening to resign if the President and the Prime Minister fail to take appropriate action against the company.

The police had launched investigations into the floating armory operated by Avant Garde which was given approval by the former Government.

Avant Garde was accused of not following proper procedures when operating the floating armory or proper documentation for the weapons on the ship. (Colombo Gazette)