The Mount Lavinia Magistrate today (29) ordered the release of former Minister Duminda Dissanayake, citing a lack of direct and investigative evidence in connection with the case involving a gold-plated T-56 assault rifle found at a luxury apartment complex in Havelock Town.

Dissanayake was arrested by police on 23 May at a residence in Thimbirigasyaya, following an investigation by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) into the ownership of the firearm. The arrest stemmed from the discovery of the gold-plated weapon inside a woman’s travel bag at the apartment complex on 20 May.

The incident came to light after a call was made to the police emergency hotline ‘119,’ reporting that an elderly woman had been seen carrying what appeared to be a T-56 assault rifle towards the apartment complex. Security personnel at the premises were alerted, leading to the subsequent discovery of the weapon and the launch of an investigation.