Police detect 4000 kg explosives in 2008

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

Vigilance exercised by the police have led to the recovery of large haul of explosives and firearms from many parts of the country during last year.

The timely detections have averted major calamities and disasters in the Western province and elsewhere.

The Police Media Spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunesekera, said the quantum of explosives detected last year exceeded 4000 kilos of high explosives_mostly C4 variety, smuggled by LTTE cadres to most parts of the country from the Northern and Eastern provinces.

He said these explosives have been smuggled to wreak havoc on key economic targets such as the Oil Refinery at Sapugaskanda, Port of Colombo, Airport, reservoirs and military garrisons.

Several politicians too have become victims of LTTE suicide cadres in the past. Police have recovered these explosives on tip off from members of the public and also during cordon and search operations. The members of the public and the policemen who had recovered the haul have been handsomely rewarded by the Police Department, he said

On 26th January 2008, Wolfendhal police recovered six parcels each containing 500 grams of C4 type explosives and a suicide jacket with C4 explosives. On 26.3.2008 the Kandapola Police and members of the Civil Defence Committee recovered 26 kilograms of C4 explosives, 3 suicide jackets, 7 hand bombs, 1 pistol, 2 magazines, 50 bullets, 36 detonators with wire. The Nuwara Eliya Police detected 61 grams of C4 explosives, 1 micro pistol, 4 hand bombs at Nonawatte.

On 12.6.2008 the Wellawatta police took in for questioning a man residing at Bentaraarchchi Place and recovered 91 grams of C4 explosives , six hand bombs, 8 detonators and two suicide kits.

On 20.10.2008 Pettah police recovered 300 grams of C4 explosives, 2 detonators, 1 battery, 1 Timer, 1 bomb, 15 identity cards, and 19 foreign passports at lodging houses at Dam Street, St. Sebastian Mawatha, Hospital lane and at Hekitta in Wattala. On 29. 9. 2008 Katunayake police took in for questioning a man and recovered a bomb containing 13 kilograms of C4 explosives with ball bearings. Two bombs containing 8 kilos of C4 explosives, two detonators, a suicide jacket with 3.6 kilograms etc. However the biggest haul of explosives was detected by policemen manning the Kotawehera -Palugaswewa check point in 2006. A lorry laden with powerful C4 type explosives sufficient enough to blow up several high rise buildings in Colombo, the Colombo Port, the oil refinery at Sapugaskanda, or a reservoir in outstations was detected due to vigilance shown by policemen at the check points. The lorry driver and the cleaner was taken into custody following the detection.