Two suspects including an Air Force officer were arrested for stealing a T-56 firearm from the Sigiriya Air Force Camp, Police said today.

On November 4, 2022, the Sigiriya Police had received a complaint regarding the misplacement of a T-56 firearm by an officer, who conducted protection duties in the night and was resting.

The complaint, which was also lodged for the misplacement of 60 bullets and two magazines along with the firearm as well, was forwarded to the Homicide and Organized Crime Division for investigation.

Subsequently, two persons, aged 32 and 37 and residents of Kurunegala and Ridigama were arrested, among whom, one person is an Air Force officer, were arrested yesterday (March 1, 2023).

The main suspect had proceeded to erase the number of the firearm by a grinder after stealing it and then had hid the firearm, the bullets and magazines in a hut neighboring his house, where the grinder was also discovered.

The suspects are to be produced to the Dambulla Magistrate Court today. The Homicide and Organized Crime Division are conducting further investigation.