Top Army officer arrested for allegedly supplying ammo to the underworld

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

The Western Province (North) Crime Division, which has uncovered a series of serious crimes linked to the underworld, yesterday arrested a senior military officer, a Lieutenant Colonel attached to a Army Camp in Mallavi, on suspicion of supplying ammunition to criminal gangs.   
Police said the officer was arrested after being summoned to the Crime Division to provide a statement.   
Investigations have revealed that the officer allegedly supplied ammunition to notorious underworld figures Kehelbaddara Padme and Commando Salintha. The arrest was made following revelations made during the interrogation of Thilina Sampath, alias ‘Walas Kata’, who is currently in police custody.   
It has come to light that while serving as a Major in the Army, the arrested officer had Commando Salintha, now also in custody, as his personal assistant. The officer reportedly admitted to supplying at least 260 rounds of ammunition on two separate occasions. In return, Salintha is alleged to have deposited approximately Rs. 650,000 into the officer’s bank account.   
However, the officer has denied supplying any weapons to underworld elements during questioning.   
Police said further investigations are underway to determine whether any military weapons were removed and given to criminal groups.   
The arrested officer is currently serving as the Commanding Officer of the Palei Nagar Army Camp.   
This arrest comes amid the CID investigation into the disappearance of over 70 assault rifles from an undisclosed Army camp.   
Earlier this year, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake revealed that 73 T56 assault rifles had gone missing from a Sri Lankan Army facility and had likely fallen into the hands of underworld groups, raising serious concerns over national security.   

According to the President, authorities have so far recovered 38 of the stolen rifles, while the remaining weapons are still unaccounted for. The CID has since launched a full-scale investigation to locate the missing firearms.   
Police earlier said that at least 13 soldiers have been arrested in connection with the case.