Investigation into the Discovery of 19 Firearms and 19 T-56 Ammunition Rounds in the Dematagoda Area

Officers of the Western Province North Crime Division, following an extensive tactical investigation conducted over the past two weeks in and around the Colombo city area, recovered and took into custody 19 T-56 firearms, 19 rounds of T-56 ammunition, 15 grams and 200 milligrams of crystal methamphetamine (“ice”), and 100,400 pregabalin tablets, which had been concealed in a house in the Dematagoda area on 03.06.2026.

The discovery of this large stockpile was initiated following the arrest of a suspect in the Ragama area on 12.05.2026, who was found in possession of 50 grams and 150 milligrams of crystal methamphetamine and 25 grams and 200 milligrams of heroin. Subsequently, another suspect was arrested in the Peliyagoda area on 18.05.2026 with 01 kilogram and 568 grams of crystal methamphetamine.

Further investigations based on these arrests led police, on 22.05.2026, to seize 45 kilograms and 867 grams of crystal methamphetamine along with 07 kilograms and 325 grams of Kerala cannabis from Sri Dharmarama Mawatha in Dematagoda. No suspects were present at the location during this recovery.

Thereafter, continuing inquiries enabled the Western Province North Crime Division to identify the main suspect involved in the trafficking network. He was subsequently apprehended while staying at a rented house in the Neluwa area together with a female associate.

Investigations revealed that the suspect had transported the narcotics stock to Colombo from the Matara district. Acting on this information, officers proceeded to the Sultanagoda area in Matara and arrested another suspect believed to have aided and abetted the trafficking operation.

It has further been disclosed that the individual who facilitated the transportation of the drug consignment to Matara, through the main suspect, is currently in remand custody at the Matara unit of the Police Narcotics Bureau for possession of 100 grams and 300 milligrams of crystal methamphetamine.

Ultimately, based on information obtained during the interrogation of the suspect arrested in Neluwa regarding the concealment sites of the narcotics transported back to Colombo from Matara, officers were able to recover the aforementioned 19 T-56 firearms, 19 rounds of ammunition, 15 grams and 200 milligrams of crystal methamphetamine, and 100,400 pregabalin tablets.

It is noteworthy that, through meticulous analysis of intelligence gathered over a 14-day period and the dedicated round-the-clock efforts of officers of the Western Province North Crime Division, law enforcement authorities were able to dismantle this suspected drug trafficking network and seize a significant cache of weapons and narcotics. Further investigations are ongoing to identify additional individuals linked to the transportation and concealment of these weapons and drugs.