At least 29 people including 10 civilians and 19 Security Forces personnel were killed and 64 others including 40 civilians were injured when an LTTE woman suicide bomber blew herself at an IDP welfare centre, North of Visuamadu in Mullaittivu last morning.

According to defence sources the female suicide bomber had mingled with a group of civilians who were seeking protection with security forces. The bomber blew herself before being screened, the reports further said. Women and children are said to be among the many reported killed and injured in the suicide bomb blast, security sources said.

Earlier, the LTTE used a 13 year old child suicide bomber targeting 55 division troops in Chalai on February 4.

Mr. Basil Rajapaksa, Member of Parliament and Senior Advisor to the President said President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Government of Sri Lanka strongly condemned this suicide bomb attack by the LTTE, which was carried out against Internally Displace Persons who have fled from areas of Mullaitivu while taking refuge in one of the centers. This brutal attack has claimed the lives of civilians, as well as causing serious damage to infrastructure and also injuries to civilian bystanders.

Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa pointed out that the Government will never succumb to the fascist designs of the LTTE, and is now more resolved and committed as never before to eliminate terrorism from every part of Sri Lanka. The people of Sri Lanka stands firmly behind the security forces in their endeavors to eradicate terrorism for good in this nation, he said.

The International community has now realized the true nature of the LTTE, which has once again proved its absolute contempt and disrespect for democracy, pluralism and civilized values of humanity. This is clearly an attack against humanity, he emphasized. It is hoped that the international community would take into account the mind set of the LTTE and act with responsibility and support the efforts of the Government, with a firm resolve, to bring to a close the ethnic crisis that has gone on for decades, Mr. Rajapaksa added.

Meanwhile The United Nations while condemning the LTTE suicide attack reiterated that "LTTE must separate its forces from civilians under its control".

US Embassy too condemned the yesterday's attack on civilians and said the attack was an apparent effort by the LTTE to discourage Tamils from leaving the conflict area.

The US urged the LTTE to allow all civilians freedom of movement.

Following is the full text of the UN press release.

The United Nations in Sri Lanka condemns today's suicide attack on a registration centre for displaced people fleeing the conflict zone. The attack killed and wounded many civilians, including children.

Those killed had already been forced from their homes by fighting, and had endured terrible hardships.

The UN reiterates that civilians must be distinguished from combatants, and protected from the fighting. It calls once again on the LTTE to separate its forces from civilians under its control.

Full statement by the US Embassy

The United States condemns today’s suicide attack on a government center that was registering internally displaced persons who had managed to exit the conflict area in northern Sri Lanka. This apparent effort by the LTTE to discourage Tamils from leaving the conflict area killed and wounded many Tamil civilians.

The United States calls on the LTTE to allow all civilians freedom of movement. The United States also urges the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure that all IDPs who leave the conflict area are registered and transferred in a transparent manner to temporary camps in accordance with international standards.