Dehiwela blast:

Suspect arrested

Rafik Jalaldeen

COLOMBO: A suspect was arrested in connection with the train bomb blast which killed nine civilians and injured over 80 others in Dehiwela on Monday evening, police media spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said.

Police launched a search operation following the bomb explosion and arrested a suspect.

"A man from Jaffna was arrested in connection with the blast. Police are questioning the suspect who is under custody," SSP Gunasekara said.

Six police teams were deployed to conduct the investigations. Head of Forensic Division of Government Analyst W.D.G.S. Gunawardana said a 1.5 kg plastic time bomb was placed on the rack of the train. "It was a purely high explosive time bomb used without ball bearings. If balls bearings were used, the casualty might have been high," he told the Daily News. At least nine civilians were killed and over 80 injured in the explosion.