Sri Lankan police made several arrests across the East in the past week, with illegal weapons allegedly recovered across the province.
In Amparai district, seven people were arrested last week, allegedly in possession of eight firearms during a police raid in Thirukkovil.
An individual was also arrested in connection with locally-made firearms and ammunition found in Thirukkovil as well as in Hikkaduwa in the South-West.
Last month, seven were arrested, including a former LTTE cadre, on allegations of possessing and manufacturing illegal firearms in Amparai.
A small Chinese-manufactured handgun was found loaded with five bullets by Kanthalai police in the Eechilampatru area of Trincomalee district on Thursday. Kantalai police said they were conducting further investigations into the gun and whether it was used in in any criminal activities.
In the same week, Batticaloa police reported that a locally made handgun and sword were found buried in a forest in the Savukkadi area. The items were recovered by a special crimes division of the Batticaloa police, who said investigations were underway into the purpose and origins of the weapons.
