Некоторое время
#set($layoutLocalService = $serviceLocator.findService("com.liferay.portal.service.LayoutLocalService"))
#set($longClass = $portal.getClass().forName("java.lang.Long"))
#set($longClassPrimitive = $longClass.getDeclaredField("TYPE").get(null))
#set($httpServletRequestClass = $portal.getClass().forName("javax.servlet.http.HttpServletRequest"))
#set($themeDisplayClass = $portal.getClass().forName("com.liferay.portal.theme.ThemeDisplay"))
#set($requestVarsClass = $portal.getClass().forName("com.liferay.portal.theme.RequestVars"))
#set($navItemClass = $portal.getClass().forName("com.liferay.portal.theme.NavItem"))
#set($layoutClass = $portal.getClass().forName("com.liferay.portal.model.Layout"))
#set($requestVars = $requestVarsClass.getConstructor($httpServletRequestClass, $themeDisplayClass, $longClassPrimitive, $longClassPrimitive).newInstance($request, $themeDisplay, $layout.getAncestorPlid(), $layout.getAncestorLayoutId()))
#set($ancessorLayout = $layoutLocalService.getLayout($layout.getAncestorPlid()))
#set($currentNavItem = $navItemClass.getConstructor($requestVarsClass, $layoutClass).newInstance($requestVars, $ancessorLayout ))
работает на ура.