Claymore mine recovered in Colombo

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 22 August 2006, 09:29 GMT]
Sri Lanka Police Tuesday morning around 9:30 a.m. recovered a "powerful" Claymore mine fitted to a bicycle used for selling vegetables at Borella in Colombo city. The cycle was abandoned in front of a shop along D.S.Senanayake Mawatte, the police said.

An officer of the Traffic Police on patrol first noticed the abandoned bicycle and on inspection found the claymore mine. Bomb disposal squad of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) on receipt of information rushed to the site and deactivated the claymore mine.

Traffic police immediately closed the movement of civilians and vehicles to Naheranpitya area for about two hours.

The claymore mine weighed about 10 kg could have been placed in the bicycle targeting an important personality. Many very important government personalities (VIP) in Colombo regularly use D.S.Senanayake Mawatte, said police sources.

Police have launched an immediate investigation into the incident to ascertain how the claymore mine was brought to D.S.Senanayake Mawatte in Borella despite stringent security measures since August 18 in connection with the South East Games. The games conclude on August 28.

All heavy vehicles carrying cargo and buses with passengers are allowed to enter Colombo city after thorough check by Sri Lankan forces.