Tangalle Police arrested a 57-year-old man from Mulkirigala on Friday after discovering a large cache of explosives concealed in a cab at the Kasagala entrance to the Southern Expressway.
Officers conducted the inspection during routine traffic enforcement at the expressway entry point. Seized items included 14 kilograms of gunpowder, 240 gelatin sticks, 350 kilograms of ammonia, 490 detonators and 5,600 feet of gunpowder wire, NewsFirst reported.
The suspect told investigators the explosives were being transported for use in rock crushing. Quarry operators in the southern belt routinely use industrial detonators and gelatin sticks for blasting, but transport of such quantities requires licensing under Sri Lanka’s Explosives Act.
Police had not disclosed whether the suspect held valid explosives permits or the intended destination of the consignment. Investigations are continuing.
