Sri Lanka says rebel bomb hits army bus, 7 wounded

COLOMBO, May 24 (Reuters) Suspected Tamil Tigers targeted a military bus with a roadside bomb near the entrance to Sri Lanka's main port in the capital Colombo today, the military said, wounding seven people including four servicemen.

Bomb squad officers at the scene said a motorbike packed with explosives was parked by the side of the road and exploded as the military bus drove past. The windows of the vehicle were blown out.

However they said they did not believe it was a suicide attack, as military officials initially reported.

A Reuters witness at the scene saw two charred motorbikes on the ground near the bus, but said the bus appeared to be intact. He said he could see blood on the floor of the bus.

The Tigers denied any involvement in the blast.

The incident came just hours after Tiger boats attacked a navy detachment off the island's far northern Jaffna peninsula before dawn, killing several sailors.

REUTERS AE VV1020