Several suspects have been arrested and hauls of explosives, firearms and bomb-making materials were recovered by the Army during the operations on May 1, reports Colombo Page.
24 Division under the Security Force Headquarters - East (SFHQ-E) during a sudden cordon search operation in the general area of Sammanthurai town in Ampara District of Eastern Province recovered 200 gelignite sticks, 1 sword, 40 meters of service threads, 200 detonators, 2 pistols, 20 rounds of pistol ammunition, 1 T-56 magazine, 170 rounds of T-56 ammunition, 4 packets 25 kg Ammonia and 1 oil bottle.
Separately, troops of 58 Division and Security Force Headquarters - West (SFHQ-W) in a cordon search in the general of Kotiyakumburain Kegalle District of Sabaragamuwa Province recovered 11 patrol bombs, 2 walkie-talkies, 16 passports, 9 knives, 12 mobile phones, 4 WiFi routers, 2 hand grenades, 8 hand axes, 3 swords, 1 Nanchakku, 1 Binocular, 1 GPS and a trouser of a desert combat kit.
Meanwhile, Security Force Headquarters - East (SFHQ-E) and 231 Brigade troops jointly continued their search and clear operations in the general area of Eravur town in the Batticaloa District of Eastern Province with the objective of containing violence. During the operation, 231 Brigade troops detected 6 T-56 Magazines, 362 rounds of T-56 ammunition, 1 round of General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) ammunition, 2 knives, 1 sword (unserviceable) and 2 hand grenades (unserviceable).
In a simultaneous cordon search operation carried out in the general areas of Wan Ela and Serunuwara in Trincomalee District of Eastern Province, troops of 222 Brigade recovered 2 Air rifles, 5 swords, 3 suspicious motor bikes, 1 locally-made rifle, a map of Seruwawila temple.