Pistol Uditha Brought to Nugegoda Rally Seized by Police

The pistol, allegedly hidden in a travel bag on the stage of an opposition protest rally held in the Nugegoda area, was seized by the Nugegoda Divisional Criminal Investigation Unit on the 25th, at the Kompannyaveediya residence of Mr. Udith Lokubandara, a former private secretary to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Following the circulation of photographs on social media showing Mr. Udith Lokubandara, who was next to Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa while he was addressing the public, hiding the pistol in a travel bag, the police questioned him and recorded his statements based on allegations of unsafe possession of a firearm in a crowded public place.

Mr. Lokubandara, who had previously surrendered his registered pistol and revolver under orders from the Ministry of Defence, was re-issued one of the firearms about a month ago, on the condition that he would obtain the relevant registration license after receiving it. However, investigations have revealed that he had not obtained the annual license for it even at the time of his participation in the Nugegoda rally.

Further investigations into this matter are underway under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General of Police Samantha Wijesekera, in charge of the Western South Province, and Senior Superintendent of Police Mangala Dehideniya. A senior police official stated that legal action against the suspect is expected to be taken in the future, based on the findings of these investigations.