The Order as to whether the Avant Guard vessel anchored in the Galle port as a case object should be released or auctioned is scheduled to be given today. When the case came up on the 9th of this month, Galle Chief Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura postponed the decision to be released today. 

Responding to the state counsel’s submission, the lawyers for the respondent firm had said that it is excessive to pay the large amount quoted by the state counsel.

Lawyers for the respondent company said the ship was 30 years time worn and since that date, they would boot out of the responsibility of maintenance of the ship and in the event of any damage caused to the ship effecting environmental destruction to the sea, the government was responsible as the ship was under the custody of the state.