Douglas Devananda Released on Bail Amid Firearms Probe

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Minister Douglas Devananda was released on bail today (9) after being produced before the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court in connection with an ongoing investigation into firearms issued to him more than two decades ago.

The Magistrate ordered Devananda’s release on two personal sureties of Rs. 2 million each, following a request made by his legal counsel citing special circumstances. 

The case has been scheduled to be called again on March 27.

Police confirmed that investigations are continuing into 20 firearms issued to the former minister in 2001, including 15 T-56 assault rifles and five 9mm pistols, along with over 1,500 rounds of T-56 ammunition and more than 100 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

The probe intensified after one of the pistols originally issued to Devananda was recovered in 2019 near a culvert in Weliweriya, based on information provided by underworld figure Makandure Madush. 

This discovery led the CID’s Homicide Investigation Unit to launch a detailed inquiry, culminating in Devananda’s arrest.