Colombo, Nov 27 (IANS): A Chinese sailor was arrested near the Colombo port by the Sri Lankan navy and handed over to police after used bullets from an M-16 rifle were found in his boat, police said Tuesday.
The Chinese, who is the captain of a Taiwanese fishing boat with an Omani flag, was arrested when the boat entered Sri Lankan waters, Xinhua reported.
The navy from the Rangala base near the Colombo port searched the boat, and found five spent bullet caps and two unexploded rocket propelled grenades.
The Chinese was handed over to police Monday.
Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy said it has urged Sri Lankan authorities to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the sailor and release him as soon as possible.