The United States Condemns Suicide Attack COLOMBO: The US condemns strongly the terrorist attack this morning (1) on the convoy of Defence Secretary Rajapaksa. While we are gratified that Secretary Ralapaksa is safe and well, the US extends our sincere condolence to the families of those who were killed and wounded in this terrible incident. The attack bears all the hallmarks of an operation by the LTTE. We once again call on the LTTE to renounce terrorism, to give up violence and to join in negotiating a peaceful solution to Sri Lanka?s conflict.
Condemnations On The LTTE Suicide Attack Pour In
COLOMBO: Religious dignitaries, Ambassadors, all political leaders and all segments of life in society collectively expressed their revulsion and condemnation on the Tiger (LTTE) terrorists? abortive suicidal attempt on the life of Secretary Defence Mr Ghotabaya Rajapaksa Friday (1) Morning in Colombo ? 3.
Most Venerable Kotugoda Dhammawasa Nayaka Thera, Venerable Elle Gunawansa Thera, Ven Professor Kamburugamuwe Wajira Thera, Venerable Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera, Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera, Rt Rev Siril Gamini and Rt Rev Sarath Hettiarachchi were among those religious dignitaries to voice their condemnation on the attempted suicide.
The US Embassy in Colombo in a special Press Release strongly condemned the terrorists attack on the convoy of Defence Secretary Rajapaksa.
?While we are gratified that Secretary Rajapaksa is safe and well, the US extend our sincere condolences to the families of those who were killed and wounded in this terrible incident. The attack bears all the hallmarks of an operation by the LTTE. We once again call on the LTTE to renounce terrorism, to give up violence and to join in negotiating a peaceful solution to Sri Lanka?s conflict?.
UNP Secretary General Tissa Attanayaka unreservedly condemned the attack and reminded the LTTE of the vanity of violence as a means of achieving political goals.
Mr. Wimal Weeravansa JVP Propaganda Secretary lashed out at LTTE terrorism and called upon the Government to deal with the terrorism in a befitting manner.
Parliamentarians Ameer Ali and Vadivel Suresh condemned the brutal attack on the convoy.
Messrs Patali Champika Ranawaka, spokesman for Jathika Hela Urumaya, Gunadasa Amarasekara were also vocal in their condemnation on the failed LTTE attempt on the life of Mr: Rajapaksa.
LTTE Claymore Attack Kills Two Policemen
JAFFNA: TWO POLICEMEN ON DUTY in front of the JAFFNA Teaching Hospital were killed when LTTE terrorists activated a claymore mine targeting Police personnel Friday (01) around 2.15 p.m..
The remote controlled explosive device had been fixed to a motorcycle parked close by.
A search operation in the area is on.
The JAFFNA Police are conducting investigations.
Two More Tamil Tigers Surrender
BATTICALOA: TWO MORE LTTE CADRES surrendered to the KADJUWATTA Army detachment in BATTICALOA Wednesday (29) around 7.45 p.m. after they became frustrated with the terrorist organization.
These two LTTE men who had allegedly deserted their ranks in the organization had told that they wanted to be free from LTTE violence and terror campaign.
The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission was to be informed.
Both surrendees are to be handed over to the Police for necessary investigations and further actions. Two Soldiers On Defence Secretary?s Escort Sacrifice Their Lives
COLOMBO: TWO SOLDIERS WHO SUFFERED serious injuries in the LTTE suicide blast at KOLLUPITIYA, COLOMBO- 3 Friday (01) morning succumbed to injuries while being treated at National Hospital and Navaloka (Private) hospital, COLOMBO. Lance Corporal P.H.P. WIJERATHNE from Sri Lanka Amy Service Corps (SLASC) was riding alongside the Defence Secretary?s vehicle at the time of the incident. He was undergoing treatment at the Navaloka (Pvt) hospital after he was injured in the blast. He was born at ARAWWALA, MAWATHAGAMA in KURUNEGALA in 1974 and received education at the MAWATHAGAMA, SAMODAYA M.M.V. On completion of G.C.E. Ordinary Level, young WIJERATHNE joined the Sri Lanka Army and, after initial training, was posted to SLASC. During his military career, he has served in operational areas and been awarded with service medals such as Riviresa Campaign Service Medal and Purna Bhumi Medal. Lance Corporal P.H.P. WIJERATHNE leaves his wife and one child. Lance Corporal N.K. PIYASIRI of the Gajaba Regiment, the driver of the escort Defender Jeep of the convoy, was admitted to COLOMBO National Hospital for urgent surgery after he was critically injured. He later died at the National hospital ICU. Lance Corporal N.K. PIYASIRI of WARAKKANDENIYA NELUWA in GALLE, a product of BATUWANGALA school, was born in 1975. After the G.C.E. Ordinary Level, PIYASIRI joined the Sri Lanka Army in 1993 and was given training at AMPARA Combat Training School. He was awarded with Purna Bhumi and Desha Putra service medals. According to latest reports, nine soldiers and five civilians are receiving medical treatment at both COLOMBO National Hospital and Navaloka hospital.
Secretary Defence Escapes LTTE Suicide Attack
COLOMBO: LTTE SUICIDE ATTACK targeting the Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa today (01) morning near the PITTALA junction, Colombo injured seven Army personnel on escort to the Secretary Defence and seven civilians around the location. They were rushed to the National Hospital Colombo with serious injuries. One soldier in critical condition was subjected to immediate surgery, according to hospital sources.
Dead body of an unidentified person, believed to be the suicide cadre who rammed into the convoy was found from the scene. At least eight vehicles including the vehicle of Secretary Defence were badly damaged.
However, the latest LTTE barbaric mission was foiled with their target, Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa escaped unhurt.
Immediately after the incident, he met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Temple Trees.
Investigations conducted by Security Forces with assistance of the Police are continuing.
LTTE Blast Against Security Convoy Injures Four
COLOMBO : AN LTTE BLAST triggered against a security convoy of a VIP in COLOMBO 3, near PITTALA junction this morning (1) at about 10.30 a.m. has injured four persons who have been rushed to COLOMBO National Hospital. ( Details Follow )
The Sri Lankan Defence Secretary, Gothabaya Rajapakse narrowly escaped a suicide attack from suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rebels. The attack took place in downtown Colombo, the Sri Lankan Capital at 10:30 a.m., as a convoy carrying the Defence Secretary and other officials was attacked by a suspected terrorist in a three wheeler. 

Early reports indicate that Gothabaya, brother of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse and vocal critic of the LTTE, escaped unscathed, while at least 2 people have died and 14 others were injured, including 5 civilians. 

While the LTTE has yet to claim responsibility for the latest strike, the militant separatist group, proscribed as a terrorist organisation in countries such as the United States, England, India, Australia and the E.U., has yet to do so for any of the suicide attacks attributed to them throughout their history. In 2006 alone the group has been accused of carrying out suicide attacks on unarmed Sri Lankan servicemen in Habarana and on a naval base in the tourist city of Galle, as well as failed attempts on the lives of Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka and Pakistani Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Bashir Wali Mohamed. 

The latest suicide attack comes just days following a declaration from LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, that the Norway brokered ceasefire agreement with the Sri Lankan government was ‘defunct’.