A large-scale excavation to recover weapons belonging to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Vavuniya turned up only a crowbar, used to crack coconuts, and an empty beer can.
Sri Lankan police obtained court permission to conduct the excavation in the Vilakkuvaithakulam area, Vavuniya after reportedly receiving intelligence from Batticaloa about a stash of LTTE weapons. A Vavuniya judge and the Omanthai Police officials were also present during the operation on Thursday.
Fire engines were kept on standby while heavy vehicles were used to dig a hole about 10 feet deep. However the search only returned a crowbar and an empty beer can. Earlier this month, a similar excavation took place in the Vadduvakal area of Mullaitivu after an individual claimed that LTTE had buried weapons in the area. That search also failed as no weapons were found.
Sri Lankan state forces have been accused of using weapons raids as a cover for continued repression and surveillance of the North-East.
