A T-56 assault rifle was found wrapped in a fertilizer bag in the garbage in a lane in Thaikka Road in Kalmunai on Tuesday morning.
Acting on a tip-off received by the CID, Kalmunai Police recovered the weapon.
Kalmunai SP M.G.M. Herath, District Superintendent Samanth Wijesekera, OIC Kalmunai Police Jeyennitty were among those who participated in the raid.
Although search operations have intensified in the area, no arrests have yet been made.
The public is keenly assistance security personnel.
Meanwhile, in another incident, Security Forces engaged in continuous search operations after the raids in Sainthamaruthu, seized a large haul of ammunition and weapons which Kalmunai Municipal Council workers found while collecting garbage, at Fourth Cross Street, Kalmunai Sahib Road.
The Municipal employees found a gun and cartridges wrapped in an underskirt and informed police who seized the gun and other items such as knives and number plates of vehicles.
They also arrested a few persons who moved in the area in a suspicious manner. Cordon and search operation are on and vital information is being collected daily.