Pivithuru Hela Urumaya General Secretary Udaya Gammanpila said that Tilak Marapana did not lie regarding the Avant-Garde controversy and that he was sacrificed for the safety of the government.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Gammanpila said that the statements of Marapana and Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe were proof of the fact that the Avant-Garde Maritime Services company was involved in a legitimate business.

Marapana also acknowledged that the Millenium City raid was also a blatant act by the police, Gammanpila pointed out.

He added that Marapana was pressurized from different parties to resign after the controvesial statement.

Marapana told Parliament last week that the Police had raided the floating armoury in Galle Harbour to 'score points' from the new government.