Arrested corporal had gun, not water bottle – Police

Police Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara yesterday denied claims that the army corporal, who was arrested following a security breach at an event attended by the President, was only holding a bottle of water in his hand and not a gun.

On April 25, army commando Cpl. Senaka Kumara, who was detailed to protect former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, had entered a meeting addressed by incumbent President Maithripala Sirisena in Angunukolapelessa, allegedly armed with a 9 mm pistol.

MP Namal Rajapaksa, with whom the soldier had arrived at the event, however, had claimed that he was carrying only a water bottle.

It has been clearly identified that it was firearm and not a water bottle, the police spokesman said, responding a question from reporters in Colombo.

He also said that the Hambantota District MP has not been question regarding the matter so far.

The spokesman stated that an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) had allowed the corporal to enter the location armed with a gun and that police Special Task Force (STF) personnel who had witnessed this alerted the Presidential Security Division (PSD).

Gunasekara conceded that the PSD was wrong to have released the suspect, who was subsequently arrested by the CID on May 02.

The police spokesman said that investigations are also being conducted on the suspicion that the corporal was in the possession of 2 firearms.

Meanwhile the ASP who had allowed the suspect to enter event has been transferred, he said.