Seven civilians were killed and 36 others including 6 police personnel were injured when the LTTE terrorists carried out an indiscriminate bomb explosion at Rathmalana this evening (28). The apparent target of the bomb was a truck carrying Police Special Task Force personnel, though the explosion was staged on a road heavily crowded with innocent civilians returning home after work.

The bomb which is suspected to be fixed on the roof of a shop has been set out around 5.40 this evening. The truck which was carrying nine STF personnel from Katukurunda Training School to Kadawatha has caught into the explosion in front of the shop situated between the Maliban junction and the Belek Kade junction on the Colombo-Galle main road.

The injured have been rushed to General Hospitals at Kalubowila and Panadura. According to the hospital sources seven civilians, five males and two females have died in the incident. Two of the injured in serious conditions have been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital.

Investigation are in progress.