Weapons haul from N-E seized

Rafik Jalaldeen

COLOMBO: A large haul of weapons and explosives transported from the North and East to the South in a lorry were taken into custody by Karandeniya police early yesterday. Investigations were conducted following the Karandeniya police intelligence officer being tipped-off about LTTE terrorists preparing to transport weapons to the South.

"We were informed two days ago that the LTTE was planning to transport weapons from Dambulla to Elpitiya. Karandeniya policemen blocked the lorry passing the Bentota Bridge early yesterday and arrested the suspects and the lorry with the haul," police told the Daily News.

Among the stock of arms were 26 Claymore mines each weighing five kgs, two side chargers, two detonator wire codes, three T56, 13 magazines, one pistol, 240 nine ml ammunition and high explosive C4 30 packets each weighing 500g, 200 detonators and 1,000 ammunition, the sources added.

The two suspects had come from Kilinochchi to Dambulla and were transporting the weapons to Diyaduruwatta, Elpitiya. A storage house had been set-up to keep the weapons, police said.

The suspects were from Jaffna and Kilinochchi and had heavy duty licence. Police believe that the arms were to be used in the south, sources added. The lorry stolen from a businessman in Karandeniya had been sold to the suspects. Karandeniya police is investigating.