Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said in Parliament yesterday that there is a connection between the military, police and civil defence officers regarding the crimes and shootings that have occurred in the past.
He stated that an army major, six military officers, a police officer and a civil defence officer have been arrested in the investigations conducted accordingly. While observing the violence that occurred after September 23, The minister said that some military officers, may have joined these acts of violence while being on active duty.
He also revealed that the parties who supported these activities have also been identified and accordingly 15 organized criminals and 15 other suspects have been arrested.
The Minister said that since the current government came to power, the seizure of illegal firearms has been expedited, and various weapons including 7 T-56 rifles, 10 pistols, 14 revolvers, 58 12-bore guns, and 13 flintlock guns have been recovered so far.