Suicide blast kills three

Rafik JALALDEEN

An LTTE suicide cadre blew himself killing three persons including two Airmen and injuring 37 others at the entrance to the Air Force camp, Colombo in Slave Island last evening. An accomplice of the suicide bomber had been arrested.

A suicide bomber who approached the Air Force camp at C.A. Gardiner Mawatha blew himself at the entrance to the Air Force camp around 5.15 pm.

Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said three persons were killed including two Airmen and 37 others wounded had been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital.

“It was a rush hour and the road was blocked due to the traffic congestion, when the LTTE suicide cadre was dropped by his accomplice on a motorcycle. The suicide bomber crossed the road and approached the Air Force camp entrance,” he described. The Tiger suicide cadre blew himself, when an Air man manning the entrance prevented him from entering the Air Force camp.

A passenger bus bearing number WP GL-6201 plying from Moratuwa to Pettah was caught up in the explosion. It was damaged and several passengers in the bus were wounded. According to Colombo National Hospital sources, two Airmen were killed, one succumbed to his injuries prior to admission and the other after admission and 23 civilians and 14 Airmen were injured. “Four civilians are in critical condition,” sources added.