Gold-Painted T-56 Rifle Linked to Ex-Minister?

COLOMBO (News 1st): A gold-painted T-56 assault rifle seized by police at a luxury apartment complex in Wellawatte has been linked to a former government minister, according to ongoing investigations.

The weapon was discovered two days ago at the entrance of the apartment complex, in the possession of two women.

Following their arrest and interrogation, police apprehended a third suspect in Ruwanwella, who was later identified as a former cook at the official residence of the ex-minister in question.

The investigation, now being handled by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID), has uncovered that the 68-year-old Sri Lankan woman who was initially detained resides in an apartment adjacent to the former minister’s official residence.

What Is the Connection Between the T-56 Rifle and the Former Minister?

Details have emerged from the statements of a 68-year-old woman currently in custody and her 40-year-old Kazakh daughter-in-law regarding the gold-painted T-56 assault rifle.

According to investigations, the former minister suspected to be the owner of the firearm had been residing in an official residence adjacent to the luxury apartment complex in Wellawatte, where the 68-year-old woman currently lives.

The individual arrested in Ruwanwella, who was formerly employed as a cook at the minister’s official residence, is believed to have transported the weapon.

After the minister vacated the official residence, the cook allegedly brought the T-56 rifle—along with another bag—to the apartment of the 68-year-old woman.

During questioning, the woman revealed that the cook later returned and took back only one of the bags.

She also told police that she believed the gold-painted T-56 rifle was a toy and had no idea it was a real weapon.

The Kazakh national stated that she had visited her mother-in-law’s residence in Wellawatte from Battaramulla to collect a bag for her children’s educational trip. She claimed she unknowingly took the bag containing the rifle and placed both the bag and the weapon separately in her vehicle.

She further explained to police that upon returning to the residence after briefly stepping out, she brought the rifle back into her mother-in-law’s home.

According to her statement, her mother-in-law believed the T-56 was a toy and even suggested giving it to the children.

The weapon has since been handed over to the Government Analyst for further examination. Ongoing investigations are being conducted under the supervision of the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID).