UAE seizes Lankan weapons ship

Sunday, 21 October 2012, 08:17.40 AM GMT +05:30 ]

United Arab Emirates coastguard has seized a Sri Lankan-flagged weapons ship after it strayed into UAE waters on October 01.

The ship, Sinbad, is operated by Avant Garde Maritime Services, which runs two other armouries, off the coast of southern Sri Lanka and in the Red Sea. All are sanctioned by their government for use by private maritime security companies, thenational.ae quoted a company spokesman as having said. Maj Nissanka Senadhipathi, chairman of Avant Garde, has declined to give the number of weapons aboard Sinbad, but confirmed the arms were owned by the Sri Lankan government. “Nobody was arrested, they just questioned the men,” said Maj Senadhipathi, adding, “They were not treated as detainees. “We were checked and our authenticity as a joint venture with the government of Sri Lanka was proved. The ship was released after five to seven days after the check was conducted.” Maj Senadhipathi said of the Sinbad: “We are highly protected. There are 15 men from the RALL [Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Sri Lanka sea marshals] guarding the weapons at any time.” UAE authorities have confirmed an incident had been investigated. Sources said the case had been referred to Fujairah prosecution.