September 22, Colombo (LNW): Authorities have uncovered a hidden stockpile of weapons in the Middeniya area, allegedly connected to former local government candidate Sampath Manamperi, who previously represented the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) at the grassroots level.
The discovery was made during a police operation carried out based on information provided by Manamperi himself, according to Police Spokesman ASP F. U. Wootler.
Officers recovered a number of military-grade items buried on private land, including two magazines compatible with T56 rifles, 115 rounds of T56 ammunition, a 9mm pistol, and a live hand grenade.
Further investigations revealed that the cache had been hidden on a property allegedly linked to a woman described as Manamperi’s mistress. The motive behind concealing the weaponry in this particular location is yet to be fully established, though police suspect a possible connection to broader criminal activities.
Manamperi, already embroiled in a separate major narcotics investigation, is currently in the custody of the Police Narcotics Bureau. He surrendered to the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court on September 17 after being implicated in a large-scale drug trafficking operation. That case involves the discovery of two buried containers of crystal methamphetamine (commonly known as “ice”) on land reportedly under his control.
Following his surrender, Manamperi was handed over to narcotics investigators and subsequently transferred to the Western North Crime Division for additional interrogation, as authorities widen their probe into his alleged involvement in both arms possession and organised drug trafficking.
