Buddhist priest arrested with explosives in Galle

[TamilNet, Saturday, 31 May 2008, 07:47 GMT]
The chief priest of a Buddhist Vihare in Baddegama police division in Galle district was arrested Thursday afternoon with a haul of explosives weighing about 60 kg on receipt of information conveyed by some members of the public. Police team recovered 43 kilos of dynamite, 223 kilos of ammonium nitrate, 22 kilos of black gun powder and 233 detonators and cash of about Rs:29,000 from the Vihare, police sources said.

Suspect had told police that he intended to sell these to fishermen of the area.

The police began a full scale investigation to find out how the priest got these items and who supplied them.

Meanwhile, the priest was produced in Galle court and ordered remand, reports from Galle said.