Chandana Kathriarachchi's home arsenal

Former Member of Parliament Mr. Chandana Kathriarachchi was arrested yesterday (16) by officers of the Colombo Crimes Division on the charge of illegally possessing a stock of firearms and ammunition, as well as a live hand grenade, hidden in his house. Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police F. stated that this stock of weapons was found when the house belonging to the suspect former MP, located in Piliyandala, was searched, according to a special search warrant obtained through the Kesbewa Magistrate's Court.

U. Wuttler told the media.

During that search operation, the police found one 12-bore firearm, another 16-bore Steven type firearm, and two 9mm pistols in the house. In addition, one live hand grenade, 221 live rounds used for T56 type firearms and two magazines for them, 103 live rounds of .22 calibre, and 31 live rounds of 7.2mm calibre were confirmed to belong to that arms cache.

Among these weapons found by the police, the live hand grenade was found by officers hidden inside a storage room in the house, while the rest of the firearms and ammunition stock were found in a front room of the house. It has been revealed that legal licenses exist for the two 9mm pistols, the 12-bore, and the 16-bore firearms seized, but further police investigations have also revealed that the woman who obtained licenses for some of these firearms is currently abroad.

During this operation, along with the suspect former MP, the live hand grenade, T56 rounds and magazines, .22 calibre rounds, the stock of 7.2mm rounds, and the 16-bore Steven type firearm have been officially taken into police custody. To conduct a comprehensive investigation regarding the bomb and other firearms and ammunition found in the said house, Crime Scene Investigation Officers (SOCO) and special officers from the Bomb Disposal Unit have also been called to the location and commenced investigations.