Wanted lorry and van taken into custody

By Darshana Sanjeewa, K.G. Karunaratna and Kanchana Kumara  
The police yesterday seized two vehicles -- a lorry and a van from Polonnaruwa and Kekirawa -- which were wanted in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks.  

They said the suspicious lorry, bearing No: EP PX 2399 and three suspects were taken into custody at Sungavila in Polonnaruwa.  

According to the investigations the lorry had been at Kalmunai, Kattankudi, Batticaloa and Valaichchenai areas until recently. Investigators suspect that the lorry might have been used for the suicide bombing at Zion church in Batticaloa.  

Meanwhile, another van suspected to have been used to transport explosives and individuals to Sainthamaruthu in Kalmunai where the explosions took place, was also seized by the Kekirawa Police yesterday. The van bearing No: 250-5680 was taken into the custody at Puliyankulama in Kekirawa and its driver identified as Abuzali Nazar arrested.  Investigations revealed that the van had left for Kalmunai carrying several people following a request from a religious leader.  

The suspects and the van were to be handed over to the CID.