Hundreds of vehicles have been recovered from the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts, by the security forces, since the end of the war against the LTTE over three weeks ago, security forces sources said. It is believed that these vehicles were used by the LTTE. The vehicles include luxury cars, vans and jeeps, tractors and lorries, but they did not have registration numbers, sources said.

Security forces and Police believe those vehicles were stolen from the South and sold to the LTTE by vehicles thieves operating in the South.

The stolen vehicles had changed hands through brokers in Vavuniya, Police said.

Police feel that most LTTE cadres who used these vehicles could be still living among the internally displaced people living in welfare centres in Vavuniya.

The chassis numbers of the vehicles are to be sent to the RMV to trace the original owners.

Police are now in the process of making inquiries from the IDPs whether they know of anybody among them having used vehicles while in the Vanni.

Fleeing LTTE cadres set most vehicles on fire to prevent them from falling into the hands of the army.

-Island-