News
Explosives go missing from Mawanella quarry; multi-pronged probe
A multi-pronged law enforcement investigation has been launched to trace the whereabouts of a large stock of explosives believed to have been stolen from a rock quarry in Mawanella.
The owner of the quarry at Molliyagoda in Mawanella had complained to the Mawanella police on December 22 about the alleged theft of the explosives. The Mawanella Divisional Secretary has also informed the Kegalle District Secretary and the Sabaragamuwa Province Governor about the matter.
The Kegalle Deputy Inspector General, D.P. Chandrasiri, told the Sunday Times that the Criminal Investigations Department had taken over the probe. Among the missing items are 15 kilograms of ammonium nitrate, 750 grams of water-gel explosive, 20 detonators and 35 metres of detonator cord.
Initial investigations have revealed that a person or persons had broken into the storeroom where the explosives were stored in boxes and made off with them, police sources told the Sunday Times.
In addition to investigations conducted by the Mawanella police and teams operating under the Sabaragamuwa province Senior DIG, the CID and the State Intelligence Service (SIS) have also sent personnel to Mawanella to probe the theft.
About 30 people, including workers at the quarry and area residents, have so far been questioned by police. No arrests have been made thus far.
Meanwhile, police are also investigating an alleged attack on a religious statue situated along a walking path at Mahaweli Uyana in Watapuluwa, Kandy on Friday night. Kandy DIG W.C.K. Alahakoon said no arrests had been made in connection with the attack and investigations were ongoing.