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DATE=1/9/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LANKA/ACCUSATION (L-O)
NUMBER=2-257910
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  Sri Lankan state radio says investigators are 
accusing several businessmen of being behind a recent 
assassination attempt against President Chandrika 
Kumaratunga.  Vandana Chopra has the details from 
Colombo. 
TEXT:  The state radio says a government investigation 
alleges a group of businessmen angry at not receiving 
lucrative government contracts was behind an attempt 
to kill President Chandrika Kumaratunga at a December 
18th campaign rally.
The Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation says the 
investigation accuses the businessmen of funding the 
main opposition United National Party, as well as 
Tamil Tiger rebels.
The radio reported investigators allege some army 
officials were also part of the plan to kill President 
Kumaratunga in an effort to set up a military regime 
in the country.
President Kumaratunga was wounded by a suicide bomber 
on the last day of presidential campaigning.  A second 
bomb exploded the same night at a nearby opposition 
election rally.  More than three-dozen people were 
killed and scores injured.  The government blamed 
Tamil rebels for the attacks.
The state radio report says police monitored the 
activities of several businessmen, as well as two 
newspaper editors who have been critical of the 
government.  The report said several people are being 
questioned and more will be interrogated in the days 
to come.
President Kumaratunga won a second six-year term in 
the presidential election.  During an appearance on 
state television last week, she blasted the political 
opposition, private media, and some businessmen -- 
saying they were all against her.  
Tiger rebels have been fighting for a separate 
homeland for the minority Tamil community for 15-
years.  They accuse the majority Sinhalese of 
discrimination.   (SIGNED)
NEB/VC/RAE 
09-Jan-2000 12:06 PM EDT (09-Jan-2000 1706 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.