Assault Rifles discovered today were to be used to attack a prison bus - Police

Sri Lanka Police suspect the weapons may have been placed there to be used to launch an attack on a prison transport bus.

11 T-56 Assault Rifles and 01 T-81 Assault Rifle, were discovered in the raid.

What's more interesting is, the discovery was made in a high-security zone in Pitipana, Homagama and the owner of the building was arrested by detectives on Monday (29) evening.

The Sri Lanka Army Temple, Sri Lanka Army Hospital, The Security Force Headquarters - West as well as an Army Cantonment is located in close proximity to the building where the weapons were discovered.

According to investigations, these weapons belong to a person who goes by the name of "Gagana", a close associate of notorious underworld leader "Kosgoda Tharaka" - both men are currently serving time in prison.

One person was arrested along with the weapons, and Sri Lanka Police said he is a member of an organized criminal gang and goes by the name "Potta Kapila" - a resident from the same area.

Investigations revealed the suspect "Potta Kapila" and incarcerated criminal "Gagana" maintained close contact.

Detectives added, "Potta Kapila" is also the person who provided a get-away car to the criminals responsible for robbing a jewellery store in Matara in 2018.

The get-away car was discovered several months ago from a house located not far from the building in which the weapons were discovered.

As the registered owner of the car was pregnant at the time, her husband Madapathage Kapila Kumara was arrested and released.

Police said, "Potta Kapila" who was arrested today, is, in fact, Madapathage Kapila Kumara.

"Kosgoda Tharaka" is the main suspect in the Matara jewellery store heist, which resulted in the death of a police officer following a shoot-out between criminals and police.

The suspects connected to the failed heist were arrested 04 months ago while in hiding at a house owned by "Potta Kapila", who was arrested today.

On the 10th of June, mobile phones were discovered from the prison cell of "Kosgoda Tharaka" who is currently serving time at the Boossa Prison.

This is not the first time modern weapons were discovered from the possession of this underworld gang, on an earlier occasion a Mini-Uzi Submachine Gun was discovered.