A suicide bomb killed 9 people in Colombo which included six police personnel, two others and the bomber as well. Officials said that the bomber rammed a motorcycle loaded with explosives into a bus carrying police. More than 75 people are said to be injured in the attack which took place in Colombo's central business district. The LTTE is said to have masterminded the attack.

 

Army spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told that out of the six dead police personnel three of them were women constables. The blasts took place near Hilton Hotel and a commercial building around 12:30 local time. Ekanjith Rawwalage, head of customer services at the hotel, said that the blast damaged the window panes of the hotel. However the guests were safe.

 

This is not the first time that the area has been targeted by the LTTE. In the past, there have been several attacks here which also houses the official residence of the Sri Lankan President. It is to be noted that the LTTE has been demanding a separate state for the Tamils and in the past too the LTTE has carried out several suicide attacks. Sri Lanka has been witnessing civil war between the LTTE and the government since 1983.