Sri Lanka's anti-graft commission on Wednesday charged former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and seven others, including three ex-navy commanders, for illegally allowing a private floating armoury, local media reported.

The Commission to Investigate Allegation of Bribery or Corruption filed action against Rajapaksa and seven others for allowing private Avant Garde Maritime Services to operate the armoury and provide sea marshal services.

The head of Avant Garde, retired major Nissanka Senadhipathi is also being charged under tough bribery and corruption laws.

The case of the floating armoury had surfaced after the Sri Lankan Navy boarded the vessel in October last year to discover a massive stash of weapons on board.

Source : XINHUA