President Chandrika Bnadaranaike Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike were the possible targets of a suicide bomb attack outside the Prime Minister's office today, official sources said. Several ministers too were expected in the same area. According to political sources the LTTE is suspected to be behind the explosion. Security check points have been set up by the Police to seal off the city after the bomb blast.
     President Kumaratunga and her family had been at the top of the hit list of tiger rebels because of her determined stance on eliminating the LTTE force who had been fighting for a separate homeland for 16 years. An attempt was made last month by a female suicide bomber to assassinate Mrs. Kumaartunga in her last political campaign rally. Investigations have revealed this rebel to be a member of the Black Tigers squad of suicide bombers. The use of suicide bombers had become a symbol of the Tamil Tiger rebels in their struggle for a separate state.

Contact Information: Send mail to webmaster@priu.gov.lk with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: September 25, 2003.