Sri Lanka minister quits over arms scandal

AFP, COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's police minister resigned on Monday following allegations he tried to shield a private security firm under investigation for gun running and money laundering.
Law and Order Minister Tilak Marapana said he quit to protect the government of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who was under intense pressure from cabinet colleagues to sack him. Marapana told parliament last week the security firm had not committed wrong doing, despite an ongoing probe into the discovery of two floating armouries run by the company off Sri Lanka's southern coast."Many people, including some government members, felt that my continuing as a minister will prevent the police from conducting an independent investigation and that is why I resigned," Marapana told reporters at his home.
Before becoming a minister in August, Marapana acted as the company's lawyer and successfully quashed one case of illegally possessing weapons.
However, a second floating armoury was seized last month, reopening the case. The company says the previous government allowed the armouries so it could carry out armed escorts of commercial ships.

 

Sri Lanka minister quits over arms scandal

AFP, COLOMBO: Sri Lankas police minister resigned on Monday following allegations he tried to shield a private security firm under investigation for gun running and money laundering. Law and Order Minister Tilak Marapana said he quit to protect the government of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe who was under intense pressure from cabinet colleagues to sack him. Marapana told parliament last week the security firm had not committed wrong doing, despite an ongoing probe into the discovery of two floating armouries run by the company off Sri Lankas southern coast.Many people, including some government members, felt that my continuing as a minister will prevent the police from conducting an independent investigation and that is why I resigned, Marapana told reporters at his home. Before becoming a minister in August, Marapana acted as the companys lawyer and successfully quashed one case of illegally possessing weapons. However, a second floating armoury was seized last month, reopening the case. The company says the previous government allowed the armouries so it could carry out armed escorts of commercial ships.