Former Member of Parliament Chandana Kathriarachchi has been arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) after a search of his residence uncovered a cache of arms and ammunition.
Police Media Spokesman, Assistant Superintendent of Police F.U. Wootler, said the arrest followed a search operation at the former MP’s home in Piliyandala, carried out under a warrant issued by the Kesbewa Magistrate’s Court.
During the search, officers recovered a hand grenade, two T-56 magazines, 221 rounds of ammunition used in T-56 assault rifles, 100 .22 calibre rounds, and 30 unidentified rounds.
Kathriarachchi was taken into police custody following the discovery. Authorities have not yet disclosed the specific charges he will face or the origin of the weapons.
The arrest adds a new thread to a widening set of accountability investigations involving former parliamentarians and officials. Active cases being pursued by the CCD, CID and CIABOC in recent weeks include the remand of former Road Development Authority chief over alleged asset concealment, the Pillayan murder confession, the assets declaration proceedings against former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and the SriLankan Airlines Airbus bribery case.
Possession of military-grade weapons such as T-56 ammunition and hand grenades by civilians is a criminal offence under Sri Lanka’s firearms and explosives legislation.
