Sri Lanka Police have dismissed as false and baseless claims circulating on social media that an LTTE training camp and a bomb manufacturing facility were operating in Pallai.

The investigation was launched after a video circulated on social media in which an individual claimed that a three-storey building had been constructed after clearing forest land in the Pallai area and was being used as an LTTE training camp and a facility for manufacturing bombs.

Police said the location shown in the video was identified as an area in Mukkampan, Kannagipuram West, within the Akkarayankulam Police Division of the Kilinochchi Police Division.

Investigations were subsequently launched by the Senior Superintendent of Police in charge of the Kilinochchi Division and the Terrorism Investigation Division.

According to the findings of the investigation, Police said there was no evidence that explosives, illegal substances or bombs were being manufactured at the location.

Police also said officers found no evidence of activities promoting the LTTE or any other terrorist or extremist organization, or that the site was being operated as a combat training centre for terrorist activities.

However, the investigation has uncovered information relating to illegal forest clearing and the unlawful acquisition of assets at the location. Further investigations into those matters are continuing.

Meanwhile, the individual who allegedly made and disseminated the claims was arrested by the Terrorism Investigation Division on August 18.

Police identified the suspect as a 46-year-old resident of Bellanwila, Boralesgamuwa, who had allegedly circulated the unverified information through a video and a media briefing.

He was produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court yesterday (19) and was ordered to be remanded until September 2.

Police said further investigations are being conducted by the Kilinochchi Senior Superintendent of Police and the Terrorism Investigation Division.