Minor explosion in Pettah

Rafik Jalaldeen

COLOMBO: A minor bomb explosion damaged several vehicles at the parking lot in Front Street, Pettah yesterday leaving two persons with minor injuries.

The time bomb was placed in a parcel under a van.

"Three vans, two cars, three trishaws, a lorry and two motorcycles were damaged in the explosion," Police spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekera said.

The van under which the time bomb was placed, belonged to a businessman from Battaramulla who had a shop in Front Street. "The van owner had parked his vehicle after unloading his belongings

opposite Consistory Complex parking lot at around 9.30 a.m. and went to his shop at Malwatta road," an Army Intelligence Officer told the Daily News.

"The LTTE is behind such incidents to create panic and tension among civilians. We suspect that the LTTE is carrying out such minor explosions in the capital to create fear among civilians and disrupt normality," SSP Gunasekera said.

Suspects had placed the bomb under the black coloured Town Ace van. The bomb disposal squad said the bomb weighed 250g. Shops in Front Street were closed temporarily. Police and Army strengthened security in the area later.

The Government Analyst visited the scene and dispatched samples of the explosives for further investigations. Meanwhile, 21 persons were injured, four critically, ion a hand grenade explosion in Kattankudy last night.