Sri Lanka Brief/ 02 January 2026.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the court on December 28 that former minister, paramilitary leader, and leader of the EPDP Douglas Devananda must remain in custody, as there is no evidence that he returned the government-issued pistol in question.
CID OIC S.M.P.E. Polwatte told the court that Devananda has not committed any terrorism-related offence, and therefore, he should be detained under normal custody rather than under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
This shows that the Daily Mirror article by D.B.S. Jeyaraj, which made claims about the weapon, was based on false assertions. In his article, Jeyaral stated that the pistol found with underworld figure Makandure Madush — originally issued to Devananda by the security forces — had been returned, and that Madush must have received it through the same security channels. Police refute this claim.
The CID report to the court adds that Devananda has failed to provide information on 19 other firearms, including rifles, that were issued to him. Despite being summoned twice during his tenure as a Member of Parliament, he did not appear before the CID or provide the required details.
The CID warned that since investigations are ongoing to determine whether these weapons have fallen into the hands of criminal groups, granting bail could obstruct the inquiry.
Key Findings Presented to Court
According to the report:
- On 05.05.2019, Colombo Police arrested the suspect Madush and recovered illegal firearms and ammunition in his possession.
- The weapons were hidden inside a vehicle and were sent for scientific examination.
- Identified items included:
- Firearm No. 245PT50941
- BROWNI MOD P4 pistol
- 02 bullets
- Scientific analysis confirmed that firearm No. 245PT50941 had been issued to Devananda from a Sri Lanka Army warehouse on 10.07.2000.
- Ammunition recovered included:
- 7.62 mm – 13 rounds
- 9 mm – 11 rounds
- 8.919 mm – 06 rounds
- 7.62×39 mm – 1560 rounds
- 9 mm – 100 empty packets
- All items were confirmed to have been kept for illegal use.
- The investigation (No. 146/2019) established that the weapons and ammunition belonged to the Sri Lanka Army and had been illegally diverted for personal use.
- The weapons were ordered to be kept in state custody until the case is concluded.
The CID report further states that the diversion of military weapons to private use occurred due to failure to follow proper legal procedures.
Devananda’s Statement to Police
Devananda has not produced any document proving that he returned the weapons. Several of his bodyguards have died, while others have left the country. Police sources say that there are no records of those firearms being returned.
CID sources indicate that the department is preparing to file a case against Devananda, who was a powerful political figure during the Rajapaksa era.
During the armed conflict between the JVP—now the governing party—and the security forces, a number of politicians were issued firearms for their personal protection against JVP attacks. It is widely claimed that many of those weapons were never returned, and no investigations are currently underway regarding their whereabouts.