Article

Douglas Devananda, former Sri Lankan minister and leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), was granted bail by the Gampaha Magistrate's Court following his remand in an investigation regarding the alleged transfer of a military firearm to organized crime. Devananda has a long history of political involvement in Sri Lanka, having held multiple ministerial positions since being elected to parliament in 1994.

The EPDP has been implicated in numerous human rights abuses, including child trafficking, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings, often in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Army. Allegations include operating child trafficking rings and exploiting vulnerable women.

The EPDP has faced scrutiny for its violent actions and economic exploitation in Tamil areas, including land occupation and extortion. Protests have been mounted by Tamil families against Devananda, highlighting his controversial legacy as a symbol of state-backed repression.