Did Friday’s bomb target Pillayan? - Police
By Jayampathy Jayasinghe
[email protected]
Colombo Crime Division (CCD) sleuths have taken in for questioning a
man on suspicion in connection with the bomb explosion opposite the
Sambodhi Viharaya at Lotus Road in Fort that killed 10 persons and
injured 95 persons, Police media spokesman, Senior DIG N.K. Illangakoon
told the Sunday Observer.
According to police sources the suspect taken in for questioning has
been identified as a person residing in the Tricomalee area.
The man is being grilled with regard to the Hero Honda CBX
motor-cycle used by a suicide cadre when he rammed it into a parked
police bus at Lotus Road.
The powerful bomb was concealed in the compartment of the petrol tank
of the motor-cycle which was very much similar to the one used to blow
up the motorcade carrying Major General Parami Kulatunga at Kottawa in
the Pannipitiya area in 2006.
The Government Analyst who visited the scene of carnage on Friday is
conducting further investigations. The victims of the explosion included
three Women Police Constables, five Police Constables and two civilians.
Police are investigating whether the suicide bomber, had targeted the
Chief Minister of the Eastern Province Pillayan staying at a nearby five
star hotel who was to take oaths on Friday afternoon. Police are also
investigating whether it was intended for another VIP.
The suicide cadre may have rammed in to a police bus when he realised
that he could not proceed any further along Lotus Road, police said.
The chauffeur of the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Gamini Lokuge
also became a victim of the blast when his vehicle was caught up in the
explosion. The minister’s official vehicle too was damaged badly.
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