30.8.2008

Forty-Five civilians suffered injuries when the LTTE terrorists exploded a parcel bomb in Olcott Mawatha in Pettah, a busy commercial area Colombo around 12.15 p.m today, 30 August.

The Director of the National hospital Colombo, Dr Hector Weerasinha said few of the victims suffered severe injuries were already taken for immediate surgeries. Four females and two children were also among the victims sustained injuries due to this explosion, he added.

The bomb inside the parcel left near the wristwatch selling outlet down Olcott Mawatha near the Bodirajaramaya Temple in Pettah had been exploded, police sources said adding that the blast was also a short distance away from the Colombo main bus stand.

Earlier, security forces uncovered accessories of suicide jackets from a Catholic Church premises in Olcott Mawatha in Pettah on 22 August. Detonators, switches and few other items had been concealed inside the St. Phillip Nerish Church premises, defence sources said.