A major disaster was averted this evening(June 18), when a timely detection of an improvised hand grenade was made by a passenger on a public transportation bus plying from Awissawella to Colombo, route no: 122 near Salaka, close to Ibbanwela junction.

The hand grenade was detected by a Navy sailor P.K.V Rathnasiri who got suspicious of an unattended box. As no individual claimed ownership of the parcel Rathnasiri along with the bus conductor immediately informed the Police calling for bomb disposal squads while, assuring safety of the passengers and commuters nearby.

The hand grenade was set inside a box and improvised, the Slave Island Police OIC said speaking to our correspondent. The Slave Island Police is conducting further investigations.