Duminda Dissanayake to Undergo Check-Up While in Remand

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Minister Duminda Dissanayake, currently under remand custody, is scheduled to undergo a medical examination by a specialist doctor today, following a directive issued by the court.

According to the Department of Prisons, the former minister was admitted to the prison hospital based on a recommendation from a registered medical practitioner.

The court subsequently ordered that he be provided with appropriate medical care, prompting the referral to a specialist.

The Department further stated that any future decisions regarding Dissanayake’s custody or treatment will be based on the specialist’s medical assessment.

Former Minister Duminda Dissanayake has been remanded until May 29 by Acting Magistrate Shanta Kumara of the Galkissa Magistrate’s Court, following his arrest in connection with the discovery of a gold-colored T-56 assault rifle at a luxury apartment complex in Wellawatte.

Dissanayake was taken into custody by officers from the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) on Friday (23) morning while residing at a high-end residential complex in Thimbirigasyaya. He was later produced before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court on Saturday.

According to the investigation report submitted to the court, preliminary inquiries have revealed that the firearm in question was originally linked to the chief security officer of Dissanayake’s father. 

Investigators also stated that statements from other suspects indicated the weapon had been passed between multiple individuals before being stored under Dissanayake’s direction. A forensic analysis of phone records is currently underway to verify these claims.

The court was informed that the legality of the firearm is also under investigation, and a government analyst’s report has been requested. Investigators requested that the suspect be remanded pending the completion of inquiries.

Appearing on behalf of Dissanayake, President’s Counsel Faizer Mustapha and Attorney-at-Law Sampath Mendis strongly denied all allegations, arguing that the arrest was based solely on uncorroborated statements from other suspects and lacked independent evidence. They expressed concern over the broader implications of such arrests, warning of the dangers of detaining individuals based on third-party claims.

After considering the submissions, the magistrate ordered that Dissanayake be remanded until May 29. The court was also informed that the suspect had been referred to the Judicial Medical Officer, who confirmed that he was unwell. As a result, Dissanayake has been admitted to the prison hospital.

Meanwhile, Ramith Rambukwella, son of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, was also recommended for hospitalisation by a registered doctor. However, following medical evaluations, he has since been returned to prison custody.