Police recovers explosive cache in Vauniya

Saturday, 20 February 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Police had found two suicide jackets buried in Cheddikulam – Vavuniya, following intelligence received by the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Public Security Minister Admiral (Retd.) Sarath Weerasekera said yesterday.

Officers from the Special Task Force (STF) were called in to safely dispose of the explosive jackets.

Weerasekera said that investigations are underway to ascertain if the explosives were buried by the LTTE for future use during the war or if the explosive cache was buried recently.

“We found this explosive cache due to the efficacy of the SIS. We have a good intelligence network established now, I urge the public to report any information regarding terrorists or criminal activity to the SIS or Police,” Weerasekera urged.

Commenting on the arrest of a 32-year-old suspect from Nedunkerni – Vavuniya for illegal possession of explosives, the Minister said the suspect was part of a Non-Governmental de-mining team operating in the North and had illegally stockpiled explosives removed from land mines and other unexploded ordnance. The suspect was found to be in possession of 21.6 kgs of TNT high explosives, 1.6 kg of PE1 explosives and components of close to 150 land mines.

“De-mining operations hand over mines and explosives to the Army once they are recovered. Sometimes, some civilians involved in de-mining programs collect explosives illegally and sell it to fishermen for use in illegal dynamite fishing activities. We suspect that person arrested was aiming to sell the explosives to fishermen. However, investigations are ongoing,” Weerasekera said.