Full-scale probe on armed soldiers in civvies in white van

Three military personnel in civil clothing carrying a firearm were arrested by the Mirihana Police on Monday night, police and army media said.

The trio of soldiers had been travelling in a white van with false number plates, police said.

Police spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunesekera said that during investigations the three military personnel had claimed that they were attached to the security detail of a major general in the army. 

“They claim the weapon is also one that is the official weapon provided to this major general,” ASP Gunesekera said.

The Police Spokesman said that the police department had requested a report on the matter from the Military Police which had not yet been received.

The Army Media Centre also issued a statement yesterday saying the Military Police had commenced investigations into the incident. 

The statement said that the military would take action against the personnel if they were found guilty of breaking any laws, irrespective of their rank or standing.

Meanwhile, UPFA Colombo District Candidate and NFF Leader Wimal Weerawansa pounced on the incident, charging yesterday that the police had accidentally uncovered a plot to assassinate former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brother Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who served as Defence Secretary during the previous regime.

“On the one hand petitions are being filed asking for the former President’s security to be reduced. That is to make him an easier target by such groups – it was only accidentally discovered by the police and now attempts are being made to take this investigation in a different direction,” Weerawansa told a news conference yesterday. (DB)