Duminda Dissanayake granted bail after being renamed suspect in T-56 rifle case

12-Jul-2026

.

Former Minister Duminda Dissanayake was granted bail by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate's Court after being redesignated as a suspect in the case involving the recovery of a T-56 rifle from an apartment in Havelock Town.

The Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) informed court that Dissanayake had previously been released due to insufficient evidence. However, fresh statements obtained from the second suspect, on the advice of the Attorney General, had established a direct link between him and the offence.

Investigators alleged that Dissanayake had initially assisted in removing the weapon and later helped the second suspect retain possession of it.

After considering the submissions, the Acting Magistrate renamed Dissanayake as a suspect and granted him bail. Defence counsel maintained that his client had earlier been discharged for lack of evidence and said the latest decision would be challenged before the High Court.