DATE=6/14/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SRI LANKA BOMB (L)
NUMBER=2-263457
BYLINE=STEVEN BARTHOLOMEUSZ
DATELINE=COLOMBO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In Sri Lanka, a bomb attack on an Air Force
vehicle in Wattala about nine kilometres north of
Colombo, today (Wednesday), has left five people dead
and seven others injured. Steven Bartholomeusz has
these details from Colombo
TEXT: Police say a suspected Tamil Tiger suicide
bomber travelling on a bicycle, attacked a bus
transporting air force personnel on Colombo's main
highway linking the capital with the international
airport in Katunayake. The attack took place during
early morning rush hour traffic. Police say many of
the dead and injured were passers-by.
An air force official says the bus was transporting
about 25 sick and injured personnel from the air frce
base hospital in Katunayake to Colombo when the bomber
rammed his bicycle on the rear of the bus. Police say,
none of the air force personnel were hurt in the
attack.
Katunayake, about 35 kilometres outside Colombo, also
serves as the main air force base for attack aircraft
involved in sorties against the rebels. The airport
and surrounding areas are designated a high security
zone, with checkpoints placed at close intervals to
prevent any bomb attacks.
Sunday, police officials in Colombo warned the public
of 25 Tamil suicide bombers infiltrating Colombo,
following last week's suicide bomb attack in
Ratmalana, south of Colombo, that killed 23 people
including a senior government minister.
The Sri Lankan Government has blamed the Tamil Tiger
rebels for last Wednesday's attack. Although no one
has yet claimed responsibility for that attack, the
rebels, fighting for a separate state in Sri Lanka's
North and East have often used suicide bombers to
assassinate government officials and military
personnel.
The government says more than 60,000 people have died
in Sri Lanka's 17-year ethnic conflict. A figure the
Tamil rebels say is higher. (SIGNED)
NEB / SB / WD
14-Jun-2000 06:45 AM EDT (14-Jun-2000 1045 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
