An underworld gangster, Priyantha Sirinanda alias 'Weli Suda' has been arrested by the Special Task Force of Police (STF) during a raid in Mulleriyawa, while in possession of an Italian-made semi-automatic pistol, with which police believe that he was planning to commit a crime.

The raid was carried out by Special Operations Division 1 on a house at Ambatale junction in Angoda, Mulleriyawa on Thursday on information received by Chief Inspector Wijayaratne, the Station Commander of Special Task Force.

During the raid, the STF recovered a BRUNI MOD 92mm type Italian-made pistol along with a magazine.

The 50-year-old suspect, a resident of Angoda is believed to have been preparing to commit a crime. The STF said the suspect along with the semi-automatic pistol and magazine were handed over to the Mulleriyawa Police for further investigations. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)