Tiger arsenal in CP exposed

• Pastor’s van used to transport deadly weapons, suicide kits

By Shane Seneviratne

More details are emerging about an LTTE network in the Central Province — with anti-terrorism sleuths grilling a key LTTE suspect. The suspect, pastor Nagulan from Mannar was arrested two weeks back in Mabole following the arrest of a female LTTE suspect.

Terrorism Investigation Department officers say details are emerging on how this pastor had lent his van to transport over 1000 kilos of explosives-- intended to assassinate VIPs--to areas including Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya, while overtly operating as a passenger van, carrying especially elderly passengers.

Detectives believe they busted a major arms network in the Central Province, when they uncovered claymore mines, suicide kits, time bombs and T 56 rifles in a garden in Ambakote, Digana, two weeks back. However they believe there is much more in the way of explosives and arms smuggled into the Central Province and there are similar arms stored in Matale, Nuwara Eliya and Talawakele.

The pastor’s van transporting explosives was taken into custody in Puttalam early this year. TID officers said more than 24 youth have been arrested in connection with this arms network including a principal and deputy principal of a school in Hatton. TID officers believe one Gandhi is the leader of this network.

Detectives said two youth from Ambakote who attempted suicide on being arrested, by taking cyanide were admitted to Kandy hospital while one youth who was arrested in Kotmale took cyanide and died.

TID officials said among those in the LTTE hit list were ministers, D. M. Jayaratne, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Douglas Devananda, Keheliya Rambukwella, C. B. Ratnayake, Naveen Dissanayake, and Nuwara Eliya JVP district secretary R.Chandrasekera.