The Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court (MC) has released former Minister Duminda Dissanayake from the case filed over the recent discovery of a gold-plated Type-56 firearm at an apartment complex in Havelock Town, citing a lack of evidence. 

During the Court proceedings, Magistrate Chathurika de Silva ordered the release of Dissanayake due to the absence of direct and circumstantial evidence related to the case.

Dissanayake was taken into custody on 23 May in connection with investigations regarding the ownership of a gold-plated T-56 type firearm found at a housing complex in Havelock Town. The said assault rifle was discovered inside a woman’s travel bag at the apartment complex. After being presented before the Mount Lavinia MC, Dissanayake was ordered to be remanded. Later, after considering a bail request submitted by him, he was released on bail under strict conditions on 14 July.