Former Minister Douglas Devananda Remanded Until January 9

COLOMBO (News 1st):Former minister Douglas Devananda has been remanded until January 9.

This was after he was produced before the Gampaha Magistrate's Court.

The former minister was arrested the day before yesterday when he appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department to give a statement regarding an incident in which he allegedly handed over an Army-issued firearm to organized criminal known, Makandure Madush.

The Criminal Investigation Department yesterday took steps to detain and question the arrested former Minister for 72 hours.

The police said that the detentions were obtained under the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

The police said that investigations are ongoing regarding 20 firearms issued to former Minister Douglas Devananda.

Among them are fifteen T-56 firearms and five 9 mm firearms.

Investigations are currently underway regarding over 1500 T-56 bullets and over 100 9mm bullets issued to the former minister.

Investigations are underway under the direction of the Criminal Investigation Department.

The police also stated that it has been revealed that the firearms were issued to former Minister Douglas Devananda in 2001.
Based on information provided by notorious organized criminal Makandure Madush, a pistol—which was among several firearms issued to Douglas Devananda by the Army in 2001—was discovered near a culvert in Weliweriya in 2019.

Douglas Devananda was arrested following an extensive investigation conducted by the Homicide Investigation Unit of the CID regarding this matter.