Army finalizing major island-wide weapons audit

Colombo, Sep 17 (Daily Mirror) - In the wake of mounting allegations linking some military personnel to organized crime, the Sri Lanka Army is in the final stages of conducting a comprehensive audit of all weapons and firearms stored at Army camps across the country, the Daily Mirror learns.

Army Spokesman Brigadier Waruna Gamage said that the audit is a complex and time-consuming process involving verification of serial numbers, inventory vouchers, and overall accountability.

“The audit is almost finalised. We have to check everything, the serial numbers, the vouchers. Once completed, we will know exactly what types of weapons or firearms are missing,” Brigadier Gamage said.

Earlier this year, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake revealed that 73 T56 assault rifles had gone missing from an Army camp and were believed to be in the possession of underworld groups, raising grave national security concerns. Authorities have so far recovered 38 weapons, while 35 remain unaccounted for. At least 13 soldiers have been arrested in connection with that.

Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha also previously highlighted the growing involvement of military-trained individuals, particularly deserters, in underworld activities. He acknowledged that some active-duty personnel have also been found to have criminal links.

In response, the Defence Ministry has ordered a crackdown on military deserters, while the Army has pledged full cooperation with the Police in related investigations.

Last week, a Lieutenant Colonel serving as the Commanding Officer of the Palei Nagar Army Camp in Mallavi was arrested by the Western Province (North) Crime Division for allegedly supplying at least 260 rounds of ammunition to underworld figures Kehelbaddara Padme and Commando Salintha.

During interrogation, the officer reportedly revealed details of a plot to assassinate underworld figure Harak Kata, involving a claymore bomb attack on a prison transport vehicle. He reportedly claimed that Commando Salintha had repeatedly contacted him by phone, pressuring him to supply two claymore bombs. However, he reportedly denied providing any claymores to the underworld.

Brigadier Gamage said that the arrested officer has since been interdicted.

When asked whether there was any information about the involvement of other military personnel connected to the arrested officer, he said that no others have been implicated in the case so far.

The Army Spokesman said that strict disciplinary and legal action will be taken against any personnel, regardless of rank, found to be involved in criminal activity or linked to underworld groups.

“If any soldier or officer is found to have illegal connections, they will be dealt with under the law. The Army is fully cooperating with the Police on all investigations,” Brigadier Gamage added.

The Commander of the Army has also issued clear directives to take immediate action against any official implicated in such offences, the spokesman said.