Ranjan Ramanayake Files Complaint At Bribery Commission On 'Avant Garde Voice Clips'

November 18, 2015

Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption with two voice clips allegedly related to the Avant Garde controversy.

The voice clips are recordings of two telephone conversations between Avant Garde Maritime Services Chairman Major (retired) Nissanka Senadhipathi and Minister Rajitha Senaratne's Secretary Sayuru Samarasundara.

The first of the clips was released to the internet yesterday, which indicates that Senadhipathi had given Rs 5 million for Dr. Senaratne's election campaign. However, a second clip was released by Senaratne's Facebook Page, which apparently indicated that Senaratne rejected the money.

Speaking to media today, Ramanayake said that the voice clips prove that a financial transaction did take place. Although Senaratne apparently rejected the bribe, his secretary had accepted it in the first place. Therefore, an attempt was made to bribe and the money had been accepted, Ramanayake also said.