Police raids across Sri Lanka : Anti-aircraft shells among findings

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Police Special Task Force, The Intelligence Services Operations Centre and the Police Organized Crimes Division raided a home in Dematagoda beside the one in which explosions took place last Sunday (April 21). During the raid, Police arrested the elder brother of the terrorists who attacked the Shangri-La and Cinnamon Grand Hotels. The terrorists' father has also been arrested on charges of aiding and abetting terrorist attacks. During the raid, the suspect named Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed Ifran was arrested while in possession of a German-made air rifle, two swords and two mobile phones. Police says that the arrests were made on charges of;

• Orchestrating out suicide attacks
• Propagating extremism
• Being connected to terror attacks

Bombs found in Kuliyapitiya

Police have found four bombs at a property beside the Godagama Viharaya in Ihalpola, Kuliyapitiya. Three of the bombs were inactive when discovered. Police STF officials told News 1st that two of the bombs were of the Para 60 mm range, while the others were in the Para 80 mm range. Once the locals were secured, the remaining bomb was detonated in a controlled explosion.

Anti-Aircraft shells

Five anti-aircraft shells were found near a bridge in close proximity to the Welipenna Police this morning (April 29).

Suspicious clothing items

Following a raid conducted in Kadathiha, Jayanthi Mawatha, Anuradhapura, Police found an outfit similar to an army uniform and a number of other suspicious clothing items. The raid was launched following a tip-off from the locals. This residence had been taken on rent and the rentee is reported to have fled the locality. The owner of the residence and two other suspects have been arrested in connection to the case. An individual purported to be a member of the now-banned National Thowheeth Jamath has also been arrested and all of the suspects have now been handed over to the Anuradhapura Police for further questioning. Another individual was arrested in Kaduruwela, Polonnaruwa. Police told the court that the suspect was in possession of posters on conferences carried out by the National Thowheeth Jamath, a computer and other related documents.

A person with IS links arrested

An individual who is suspected to have maintained relations with the Islamic State was arrested during a raid carried out at the Peralaaru 1 and 2 villages in Kantale. Police also found DVDs carrying information on IS. Investigations revealed that many of the CDs were burned and destroyed before the raid. The suspect, who operated a plastic goods shop in Kantale, was a resident of Kattankudi. Three swords were also found during a raid in the village of Peralaru, with another six suspects taken into custody. Watch the video above for more