Army-issued firearms investigation
Current status of the Army-issued firearms investigation
CID investigation concerning firearms and ammunition issued to former Minister Douglas Devananda in 2001. Police reported that investigators were examining 20 firearms, including 15 T-56 rifles and five 9mm pistols, together with ammunition. The investigation intensified after one of the pistols originally issued to Devananda was recovered near Weliweriya in 2019 following information obtained during an organised-crime investigation. The investigation concerns what happened to the issued firearms; it has not been established as fact that Devananda illegally transferred or supplied the weapon, and no court has made such a finding.
What’s happened
Devananda was arrested by the CID on 26 Dec 2025 and subsequently remanded. On 9 Jan 2026, the Gampaha Magistrate's Court granted him bail on two Rs.2 million personal bonds, required the guarantors to be close relatives and imposed an overseas travel ban. The matter was reported as scheduled to return to court on 27 Mar 2026, but no reliable public report establishing the outcome of that hearing has been located.
- Court
- Gampaha Magistrate's Court
- Next hearing / due
- No upcoming hearing announced
Army-issued firearms investigation timeline
- 9 January 2026
Bail Granted
The Gampaha Magistrate's Court released Devananda on two Rs.2 million personal bonds and imposed an overseas travel ban.
Court: Gampaha Magistrate's Court
Sources (2)
- 28 December 2025
Remanded
The Gampaha Magistrate's Court remanded Devananda until 9 Jan 2026 in connection with the investigation.
Court: Gampaha Magistrate's Court
Sources (1)
- 26 December 2025
Arrested
The CID arrested Douglas Devananda in connection with an investigation concerning firearms issued to him while he was a minister.
Court: Gampaha Magistrate's Court
Sources (1)