Karadiyanaru blast:

Five serious, say Police

Rasika Somarathna

The Karadiyanaru blast, which claimed the lives of 21 people, was clearly accidental and not an act of sabotage, Police Chief Mahinda Balasuriya said. In a statement, the IGP said that 21 had been reported dead including 12 Police personnel, two Chinese nationals and seven civilians.

Another 23 Police personnel and 21 civilians injured in the blast are seeking treatment at hospitals. Four Police personnel including a female officer had been airlifted to Colombo for advanced treatment, he added.

Hospital sources yesterday said that at least five of the injured were in a very serious condition.

Two containers of explosives used for road construction exploded Friday inside the Karadiyanaru police compound, destroying the police station and a nearby agriculture office crowded with farmers.

It was reported that the blast created a 10 metre deep crater at the Karadiyanaru police station in Batticaloa, where the dynamite meant for blasting the road site had been stored.

Police spokesman SP Preshantha Jayakody said yesterday that it was still premature to say whether the blast was due to a lapse.

The IGP’s statement which gave detailed descriptions of the happenings Friday said that the blast had occurred around 11.30 a.m.

“Two Chinese engineers assisted by six others working for a Chinese company engaged in road construction in the area had arrived at the Police station to obtain some dynamite, which was stored in two containers. The blast had occurred when the team from the company was handling explosives”, he added.

The IGP said that the Government Analyst, a special unit of the CID and Police teams led by Deputy Inspector General of Police (Crimes) Anura Senanayake and DIGP (Welfare) Shantha Wanaguru were carrying out investigations.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister D M Jayaratne, the IGP and the Chinese Ambassador had visited the blast site and subsequently the hospital to look into the needs of the injured. The Premier instructed the Batticaloa Government Agent to provide assistance to the families of those killed and injured in the blast, the Prime Minister’s media unit said..

Meanwhile, the nearby Ayithyamale Police station has been tasked with handling affairs related to the Karadiyanaru police division on a temporary basis. The Government is also working on a compensation package for the next of the kin of those killed in the accident.