Bomb explosion at Pettah: Three injured

By Dhaneshi YATAWARA

A bomb exploded around 4.45 p.m. at Bankshall street near the Red Mosque in Colombo Fort area injuring three people and damaging nine shops and vehicles parked in the viscinity.

According to hospital sources the injured received medical treatment and are now out of danger. A black coloured jeep, HD - 8194 (WP), was badly damaged, and the Police suspect that the bomb had exploded under it.

"The investigating officers found a six inche wide and seven inch deep hole, due to the impact of the bomb," Police Spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunesekara said.

According to the Police one jeep, three vans and one three wheeler was damaged due to the explosion which had occurred in front of a building which was under repairs adjoing the Taj building, sandwiched whiched between a shop named 'Loline' a garment accessory shop and the Bankshall Hotel.

"We heard a loud explosion and when we came out, we saw one of the vehicles in the park was in flames and immediately the Police evacuated us from the scene to a safer distance.