Attack on Galle harbour:

Trawler and lorry used found

Rafik Jalaldeen

Police found a trawler and a lorry used by the LTTE to attack the Galle harbour in 2006. Police spokesman Senior DIG Nimal Mediwake said a special team from the Central Provincial Investigation Unit arrested an LTTE suspect in Vavuniya on July 24. “The LTTE suspect who is under detention order had divulged vital information during interrogation,” he added.

Pursuing the Tiger cadre’s information, police found the 32 feet length trawler equipped with GPR radar in Hambantota while the lorry was recovered in Akkaraipattu.

“It was revealed that the trawler and the lorry had been used by the LTTE during the suicide mission to the Galle harbour in 2006. The recoveries were made on Sunday afternoon,” the DIG said.

Senior DIG Mediwake said the investigation was conducted by Chief Inspector Bowella under direction of Central Province Senior DIG Gamini Navaratne.

The LTTE sea wing attempted to attack the Navy’s Dakshina Lanka Base in Galle at around 7.40 am on October 18, 2006. Five LTTE explosive laden boats carrying Tigers posing as fishermen mingling with boats attempted to make their way to the Dakshina harbour. “However, sailors acting swiftly foiled the Tiger attempt and destroyed the boats. All Tiger cadres on board were killed. A sailor was killed in the action and 24 others were injured.