DATE=1/2/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LANKA/REPORT/ L-O
NUMBER=2-257708
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Ten senior police officers of Sri Lankan
President Chandrika Kumaratunga's elite security unit
are to be questioned about an assassination attempt
last month. Vandana Chopra has details from Colombo.
TEXT: Local press reports say an interim report by a
police Deputy Inspector-General, calls for 10 senior
members of the Presidential Security Division to be
questioned.
President Chandrika Kumaratunga was injured by a
suicide bomber last month after a campaign speech. At
least 24-people were killed and 110 wounded in the
blast.
The independent, "Sunday Times", newspaper says the
suicide bombing incident revealed serious breaches of
security. It said senior ministers in President
Kumaratunga's cabinet hold the Presidential Security
Division responsible.
Government officials say everybody was to be body-
searched and swept with metal detectors as they
entered the venue, but the suicide bomber managed to
get through.
Press reports say the authorities have identified
President Kumaratunga's would-be assassin as a 26-
year-old woman known as Niro, from the island's
Northeastern district of Mullaitivu.
Meanwhile, President Kumaratunga has been advised to
seek further treatment in the United States to restore
vision in one eye. Independent press reports say
President Kumaratunga is to travel to the state of
Arizona for further treatment.
Last week in a B-B-C television interview, President
Kumaratunga said she probably has lost the sight in
her right eye. She says she will continue to carry
out her duties.
President Kumaratunga says she was probably saved by
her car and was the only leader who had lived to tell
the tale after a suicide bombing. She said her life
has been spared to bring about peace in Sri Lanka.
Tiger separatists have been fighting for a separate
homeland for the minority Tamil community in Sri
Lanka's North and East since 1983. (SIGNED)
NEB/AP/RAE
02-Jan-2000 11:19 AM EDT (02-Jan-2000 1619 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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