Bomb attack in Sri Lanka, Minister unhurt

By David Sabapathy – TNS

COLOMBO - The bomb attack at 1.15 PM at Pirivena Junction, Boralesgamuwa town Maharagama, about 6 miles (10 kilometers) from capital Colombo, targeted Agriculture Minister Maithripala Sirisena, said Sri Lanka military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara.

The latest bombing injures seven, but the minister was unhurt. Deputy Minister Siripala Gamlath was among those wounded, police sources told TNS. Five injured are being treated at Colombo South General Hospital at Kalubowila, said its director.

According to the Director of Colombo National Hospital Accident Service, Secretary to Ministry of Agriculture who had been in one of the vehicles in the convoy has also sustained injuries.

Two of the seriously injured had been transferred to Colombo National Hospital. Minister Sirisena had been returning from an official function at Bandaragama this morning when the attack happened.

Authorities immediately blamed the attack on Tamil Tigers rebels and said it’s a suicide attack. There were no comments from the rebels yet on the latest attack. An independent observer in the Capital Colombo told TNS that an escalating infighting with in the Sinhala polity following the assassination of Maj. Gen. Janaka Perera can’t be ruled out.