Arrested LTTE suicide bomber confesses to involvement in December 1999 assassination bid on President
[14 Mar 2001] 

The LTTE suicide bomber arrested at a safe house in Dehiwala, just south of Colombo, last Monday, has confessed to his involvement in President Kumaratunga's assassination attempt at a December 1999 Presidential Election rally. The President narrowly escaped the attempt but lost one eye in the attack.

He had been at the election meeting, ready to blow himself up if the female suicide bomber missed her target, but had escaped moments after the blast when the police cordoned the area.

The house at Dehiwala is believed to be where the suicide jackets that claimed lives of moderate Tamil politician Dr. Nreelan Tiruchelvam and Industrial Development Minister C.V. Gooneratne, were assembled.  

The police also arrested a suspected female suicide bomber when the safe house was raided.

The main LTTE suspect had attempted to commit suicide by swallowing two cyanide capsules. He is now reported to be out of danger after immediate treatment at the Colombo National Hospital.

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LTTE suicide kits in Dehiwala house
13/03/2001