Weapons including T56 firearms, Machine guns, 84S rifles as well as 3000 automatic and semi automatic firearms have been found, reports say.

Speaking to media, a Customs officer also said that they suspect Body Armour kits, helmets worn by troops, live bullets as well as high tech equipment to be in the containers.

The ship 'Mahanuwara' was searched after Galle DIG S.A.D.S. Gunewardena received a tip on this regard.

It has been revealed that the ship was chartered by a private company. However police are still investigating to uncover the purpose of bringing in this stock of weapons.

Avant Garde weapons?

Meanwhile, police spokesman SSP Ajith Rohna said that police are investigating a off coast floating armory located near the Galle port.

Reports say that floating armoury is maintained by Avant Garde Maritime Services (Pvt) Ltd, which is a subsidiary of Avant Garde Security Services (Pvt).