Former Minister Douglas Devananda was granted bail today (9) after being produced before the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court in connection with an investigation into firearms issued to him over two decades ago.
The Magistrate ordered his release on two personal sureties of Rs. 2 million each, accepting submissions made by the defence citing special circumstances. The case has been fixed for further hearing on March 27.
Police said investigations are ongoing into 20 firearms issued to Devananda in 2001, comprising 15 T-56 assault rifles and five 9mm pistols, along with more than 1,500 rounds of T-56 ammunition and over 100 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
The investigation gained momentum after one of the pistols issued to the former minister was recovered in 2019 near a culvert in Weliweriya, based on information provided by underworld figure Makandure Madush. Following this discovery, the CID’s Homicide Investigation Unit launched a comprehensive probe, which eventually led to Devananda’s arrest.
