It has been revealed that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s second son, Yoshitha, former Minister Johnston Fernando, and businessman Major Nissanka Senadhipathy, a close associate of former Defense Secretary Kamal Gunaratne, have received government weapons in bulk. The Defense Ministry has instructed them to return these weapons as soon as possible, according to a report by the Sunday Mawbima newspaper.
Yoshitha Rajapaksa, a former Navy officer, reportedly took 7 firearms, including six 9mm pistols. Former Minister Johnston Fernando took 8 weapons—three 9mm pistols and five bore repeaters. Meanwhile, Nissanka Senadhipathy, who runs a marine security firm called Avant Garde, received 7 pistols (9mm) and 2 bore repeaters, the newspaper states.
The previous government, led by the now-fled President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, issued 1,690 weapons to 1,500 people across the country. All of these individuals have been asked to return their weapons by November 7, and the Ministry of Defense has warned that legal action will be taken against those who fail to comply.
