The Colombo High Court today filed indictments against former Minister Duminda Dissanayake and another woman in connection with the discovery of a gold‑plated firearm. 

Following the serving of indictments, the High Court Judge ordered that both accused be released on bail.

Court records show that indictments had also been filed on September 9 against Dissanayake and the same co‑accused, with bail granted on both occasions.

The case stems from the discovery of a gold‑plated T‑56 assault rifle at the Havelock City apartment complex in Wellawatte in May 2025. 

Two women, aged 40 and 68, were initially arrested over possession of the weapon before the investigation was handed over to the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID).

Subsequent inquiries by the TID led to the arrest of Dissanayake, who was produced before court. At the time, however, he was released after the Attorney General’s Department informed the court that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with legal action. (Newswire)

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Former Minister Duminda Dissanayake has been re‑named as a suspect in the case involving a T‑56 firearm recovered at a Housing Complex in the Havelocky area. 

The matter was taken up today (10) before Acting Magistrate Ravi Mathugama at the No. 1 Court of the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court.

Officials of the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) told court that extracts had initially been sent to the Attorney General, and due to lack of evidence, the fourth suspect was released. 

However, following further statements recorded from the second suspect on the Attorney General’s instructions, sufficient evidence was uncovered to re‑include the fourth suspect in the case.

Evidence earlier alleged that the fourth suspect was linked to the disposal of the firearm, while subsequent findings indicated that the second suspect had aided in keeping it. 

A consolidated report was submitted to court, leading to Dissanayake being re‑named as a suspect.

The Attorney General’s Department has now completed investigations and informed the court that indictments will be filed in the High Court.

The counsel appearing for Dissanayake, informed the court that the Magistrate’s Court had previously released his client on July 29 last year due to lack of evidence, and said they will challenge the matter before the High Court.

Magistrate Mathugama ordered Dissanayake’s release on two personal bail bonds of Rs. 500,000 each.

The case will be called again on December 11 for further reporting based on the Attorney General’s instructions. (Newswire)

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Former minister Duminda Dissanayake received a warm welcome from his supporters after having been released from prison recently in connection with the gold-plated firearm that was found at an apartment complex in Havelock Town.

On 14 July, the Colombo High Court ordered the release of the former Minister of Agriculture, Duminda Dissanayake, on strict bail conditions. 

Meeting his supporters for the first time since his release from prison, Duminda Dissanayake was welcomed with applause.

Addressing the gathering, Duminda Dissanayake said it is evident that the government has only worked on imprisoning several politicians in the recent past. (Newswire)

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The Colombo High Court has ordered the release of former Minister of Agriculture Duminda Dissanayake, who was arrested and remanded in connection with the gold-plated firearm that was found at an apartment complex in Havelock Town.

During court proceedings today, the former minister was released on strict bail conditions. 

Former minister Duminda Dissanayake was arrested in May in connection with the gold-plated T-56 assault rifle that was found at the Havelock City Apartment complex in Wellawatte. 

Two women, aged 40 and 68, were initially arrested over the possession of the weapon.

The investigations into the rifle were handed over to the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID), after which former minister Duminda Dissanayake was arrested. (Newswire)

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Former Minister of Agriculture Duminda Dissanayake has been further remanded until 15 July in connection with the gold-plated firearm that was found at an apartment complex in Havelock Town.

He was further remanded after being produced before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court today. 

Former minister Duminda Dissanayake was arrested in May while at a luxury apartment complex in Colombo, in connection with the gold-plated T-56 assault rifle that was found at the Havelock City Apartment complex in Wellawatte. 

Two women, aged 40 and 68, were initially arrested, after which the investigations into the rifle were handed over to the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID). (Newswire)

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Former Minister of Agriculture Duminda Dissanayake has been further remanded until 07 July in connection with the gold-plated firearm that was found at an apartment complex in Havelock Town.

He was further remanded after being produced before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court today. 

Meanwhile, the court has ordered the release on bail of the third suspect who was arrested and remanded in connection with the incident.

Former minister Duminda Dissanayake was arrested on 23 May while at a luxury apartment complex in Thimbirigasyaya, Colombo, in connection with the gold-plated T-56 assault rifle that was found at the Havelock City Apartment complex in Wellawatte. 

Two women, aged 40 and 68, were initially arrested, after which the investigations into the rifle were handed over to the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID). (Newswire)

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Former Minister of Agriculture Duminda Dissanayake has been further remanded until 19 June 2025 in connection with the gold-plated firearm that was found at an apartment complex in Havelock Town.

He was further remanded after being produced before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court today. 

Duminda Dissanayake was arrested on 23 May while at a luxury apartment complex in Thimbirigasyaya, Colombo. 

He was arrested in connection with the gold-plated T-56 assault rifle that was found at the Havelock City Apartment complex in Wellawatte. 

Two women, aged 40 and 68, were initially arrested, after which the investigations into the rifle were handed over to the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID). (Newswire)

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Former Minister of Agriculture Duminda Dissanayake has been further remanded until 05 June 2025 in connection with the discovery of a gold-plated firearm at an apartment complex in Havelock Town.

He was further remanded after being produced before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court today. 

Duminda Dissanayake was arrested on 23 May while at a luxury apartment complex in Thimbirigasyaya, Colombo. 

He was arrested in connection with the gold-plated T-56 assault rifle that was found at the Havelock City housing complex in Wellawatte. 

Two women, aged 40 and 68, were initially arrested, after which the investigations into the rifle were handed over to the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID). (Newswire)

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Former Minister of Agriculture Duminda Dissanayake has been arrested in Colombo, the Police said.

According to the Police, the former minister was arrested while at a luxury apartment complex in Thimbirigasyaya in Colombo. 

It is reported that Duminda Dissanayake has been arrested in connection with the gold-plated T-56 rifle that was found in an apartment complex in Wellawatte recently.

The weapon was found at an apartment of the Havelock City housing complex in Colombo this week, after which two women, aged 40 and 68 years, were arrested on Tuesday.

The Police handed over the investigations into the rifle to the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) yesterday. (Newswire)

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The Attorney General’s advice is to be obtained about recovering the Rs. 660 million that was placed as a deposit for a private building in Rajagiriya for the use of the Ministry of Agriculture during the tenure of a former government, Secretary to the Ministry M.P.N.M. Wickremesinghe said. 

Speaking to the media, the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture revealed that there have been some irregularities in the ministry during the previous government.

Wickremesinghe told the media that Rs. 660 million that was placed as a deposit for a building taken on rent under the ministry was unable to be traced. 

“We have found some irregularities at the Ministry of Agriculture. A building had been acquired for the ministry and a deposit of Rs. 660 million was given. Usually, a bond is taken from a bank for this purpose, but it has been found that no such action has been taken,” he said.

The Agriculture Ministry Secretary said that as of now, it has been years since the building has been returned but the deposit amount has not been received yet, and the former government has not attempted to recover the money.

M.P.N.M. Wickremesinghe added that investigations are being carried out into the irregularities found at the Ministry of Agriculture. 

The private building in Rajagiriya, in question, had been obtained on rent by Duminda Dissanayake, who served as the Agriculture Minister during the Yahapalanaya Government for a monthly rent of Rs. 21 million.

At that time,  there was criticism about the rent given by the government for this building which belonged to the husband of popular film actress Sabitha Perera.

It is reported that the Presidential Commission of Inquiry, which is looking into alleged fraud and corruption in government institutions between January 2015 and December 2018, had focused its attention on this building. (Newswire)

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A total of 10 members have stepped down from the Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) as of today.

National Peoples Power (NPP) Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MP Duminda Dissanayake are the latest Parliamentarians to resign from the COPE Committee.

Resignations have been pouring in over the last few days seemingly over the newly appointed Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises.

Earlier today, SLPP MP Wasantha Yapa Bandara declined to accept his appointment to the COPE Committee, which was announced by Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakshe in Parliament.

MP Wasantha Yapa Bandara intervened and announced his decision to decline the appointment, due to the current issue with the newly appointed Chairman.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Eran Wickramaratne was the first member of the COPE Committee to resign, citing issues with the appointment of a ruling party member as the new chairman of the Committee. 

Following his resignation, MPs Dayasiri Jayasekara (SLFP), Prof. Charitha Herath (SLPP), S.M. Marikkar (SJB), Hesha Withanage (SJB), Gamini Waleboda (SLPP), and Shanakiyan Rasamanickam (TNA) also stepped down from the COPE Committee over the last two days. (NewsWire)

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