Major rebel arms cache found in Sri Lanka: govt

COLOMBO (AFP) – Sri Lankan troops have unearthed the largest haul of weapons and ammunition discovered since the defeat of Tamil Tiger rebels last month, the government said.

Hundreds of automatic assault rifles, mortar bombs and land mines were found during a two-day search in the north of the island.

A clearing operation was also under way in the area where Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was killed last month.

"Troops conducting search and clear operations in the Wanni areas uncovered some more LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) weapons, ammunition and explosives," the defence ministry said.

Military officials said the discoveries made over the weekend formed the largest haul since the government's recent victory over the Tiger rebels ended decades of ethnic conflict.