The Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court has ordered that notice be issued to former Minister Duminda Dissanayake to appear before court on a future date after he was once again named as a suspect in the investigation into a gold-plated T-56 assault rifle.

The order was issued following instructions from the Attorney General, who informed the court that sufficient evidence exists against Dissanayake in connection with the ongoing investigation.Dissanayake was previously arrested in May 2025 in connection with the gold-plated T-56 assault rifle that was discovered at the Havelock City apartment complex in Wellawatte.Two women, aged 40 and 68, were initially arrested over the possession of the weapon before investigations were handed over to the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID).Following further investigations by the TID, Dissanayake was arrested and produced before court. However, he was later released after the court was informed that there was insufficient evidence to continue legal action against him at the time.

The Attorney General has now advised that sufficient evidence exists to proceed against the former minister, leading to him being named as a suspect once again.The latest court order requires Dissanayake to appear before the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court as proceedings in the case continue.