15 passengers killed, 25 more wounded in Lanka bus blast

Colombo, Apr 2 (UNI) At least 15 passengers, including six women and two children, were killed and over 25 wounded in a bus explosion triggered by suspected Tamil Tiger rebels near a military check point in Amparai in Sri Lanka's restive Eastern province today.

'' According to our initial reports, the civilian bus was passing through a military check point at Kondavedduvan along the Badulla-Amparai main highway when the bomb exploded,'' a military official attached to the Ministry of Defence told UNI over the phone.

He said at least 15 civilians died and expressed fear that the death toll could rise as most of the wounded passengers were stated to be in a serious condition.

'' We strongly suspect that the LTTE is behind this blast,'' the official said.

When contacted, Amparai hospital sources said nearly 20 people were admitted with serious injuries.

The Sri Lanka military claimed six Sinhalese building constructors, working on the post-tsunami reconstruction work at an orphanage, the Village of hope, were shot dead and two were seriously wounded when suspected LTTE gunmen fired at them in Mayilambaveli in Eravur late last night.

There is no immediate reaction from the LTTE in this regard so far.

UNI