DATE=3/11/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LANKA BLAST UPDATE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260083
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Sri Lankan security forces in Colombo have
clashed with Tamil rebels blamed for a suicide bombing
and shootout on Friday that left at least 21 people
dead and more than 60 wounded in the capital city.
Vandana Chopra reports from Colombo that the latest
clash killed at least four Tamil Tiger rebels and
injured at least four government soldiers.
TEXT: Police officials say the Tamil Tiger rebels,
believed to be involved in Friday's deadly bombing,
were hiding in a residential housing complex and
killed themselves early Saturday morning just before
police commandoes were to begin an assault on the
complex.
The rebels had taken refuge in the complex after the
bombing Friday evening along a strategic highway
leading to the national parliament. Officials say the
bombing attack apparently was aimed at government
ministers and political
leaders who had been attending a meeting of the
parliament. There was no indication any of the
political leaders were wounded.
Government officials say security forces launched a
massive house-to-house search operation, Friday night,
to try and flush out the Tiger rebels. Police say
this operation led to the confrontation with the
rebels in the apartment complex.
The state radio in Colombo has advised people to stay
indoors and police were not allowing anyone to get
into the area near Friday's bomb blast
Police officials say they recovered suicide bomb
jackets, automatic weapons, rocket propelled grenades
and ammunition from the area.
The blast, comes at a time when the Sri Lankan
government and the main opposition are currently
discussing constitutional reforms which they will
then present to the Tiger separatists in a bid to end
the long ethnic war.
Tiger rebels are fighting for a separate homeland for
the minority Tamil community in Sri Lanka's north and
east. (Signed)
NEB/VC/PLM
11-Mar-2000 01:47 AM EDT (11-Mar-2000 0647 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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