Pathmanathan revealed presence of arms in Colombo: PM

"KP has divulged information that there is a lot of hidden explosives in the city," Wickremanayake said, adding that until all such explosives are cleared he cannot declare that the country is peaceful.

Addressing a function at Horana, the premier said although the biggest threat had been eradicated, there were explosive devices in many areas in Colombo and its suburbs.

"We arrested a person on Sunday as well. He is the person who transported bombs and explosives to murder persons and set off explosions in and around Colombo," local news channel 'Newsfirst' quoted Wickremanayake as saying.

"If the country is to be at peace, we need to be aware of the illegal weapons that have been hidden," the Prime Minister said.

"The person known as KP, who is at present in our custody, is  the person who has revealed that there is a lot of such destructive material in the city and suburbs. Sunday's arrest was made on information provided by KP," the channel quoted the Sri Lankan Prime Minister as saying.

"So a large amount of explosives is hidden in Colombo and its suburbs. Until all that is cleared, I'm not in a position to declare that the  whole country is peaceful. It is true that an inferno has been put out," the Prime Minister said.

Meanwhile, Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardne said Sri Lanka had not violated any international laws by arresting KP and had proved that it had the capacity to bust the international network of the LTTE.

"Many forces said the Government would not be able to crush the international network of the LTTE but we have done so," the Media minister said.

Abeywardene  said the Government was fully capable of identifying its enemies in the international arena.

KP was wanted for questioning by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over his involvement in the Central Bank bombing in 1996 and arms procurement operations oversees for terrorist activities in Sri Lanka, Minister, the minister said.

KP was arrested overseas and brought to Colombo last week.