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DATE=6/7/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LANKAN BOMB (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-263258
BYLINE=STEVEN BARTHOLOMEUSZ
DATELINE=COLOMBO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  In Sri Lanka, a government minister and at 
least 19 other people have been killed and over 60 
others injured in a suicide bomb attack in the town of 
Ratmalana, about 12 kilometers from Colombo, the 
capital of Sri Lanka.  Steven Bartholomeusz has the 
story from Colombo.
TEXT:  Police officials say Minister of Industries 
C.V. Goonaratne was leading a parade to honor the 
troops fighting Tamil Tiger rebels when the explosion 
took place. 
The police say they believe a Tamil Tiger suicide 
bomber carried out the attack. The rebels have 
frequently used suicide bombers to assassinate 
politicians and military personnel in Sri Lanka's 
ethnic conflict. 
According to police and eyewitnesses, a man believed 
to be the suicide bomber approached the minister just 
before a loud explosion was heard.  Investigations 
into how the suicide bomber got close to the 
minister's parade are currently being carried out.
The Sri Lankan government has declared June seventh, 
War Heroes Day to show support for military forces who 
are now engaged in fierce fighting with Tamil rebels 
in the northern Jaffna Peninsula.  Special ceremonies 
were held throughout the island, with offices and 
shops stopping work to observe two minutes silence. 
Parades and processions were also held to collect 
donations of money and other essential items for the 
military.  
In an address to the nation before the attack, Sri 
Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga praised the 
military and thanked the families of soldiers who died 
in the fighting.
In April, rebels took control of the key military base 
at the Elephant Pass, which serves as a gateway to the 
northern Jaffna region.  The rebel victory handed the 
military one of its worst setbacks in the 17 year war. 
Soon after the fall of Elephant Pass, the government 
introduced censorship on the foreign media and invoked 
the Public Security Act, which gives sweeping powers 
to the military, police and government.  Censorship on 
the foreign media was lifted late last week.
The Sri Lankan military and the rebels, demanding a 
separate state for the country's minority Tamils have 
been fighting since 1983.  The government says more 
than 60,000 people have been killed in the fighting. 
The rebels claim the death toll is higher. (SIGNED)
07-Jun-2000 11:09 AM EDT (07-Jun-2000 1509 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.