U.S., Italian ambassadors 'slightly injured' in mortar attack in Sri Lanka, officials say
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP)  The U.S. and Italian ambassadors to Sri Lanka were "slightly injured" when their helicopters were targeted by mortars fired by suspected Tamil Tiger rebels in the east on Tuesday, officials said.
The helicopters used by U.S. Ambassador Robert Blake and his Italian counterpart Pio Mariani had just landed in Batticaloa when several mortars landed close to the aircraft, said Sri Lankan government minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, who accompanied them.
"Both the ambassadors are fine and they have suffered slight injuries," Samarasinghe said.
Mariani needed medical care and was taken to the area's main hospital for treatment. The nature of his injuries was not immediately known.
The Sri Lankan Defense Ministry blamed the attack on separatist Tamil Tiger rebels, who are banned in the United States and in European Union countries as a terrorist group.
There was no immediate comment from the rebels Tuesday.
The two ambassadors, accompanied by their staff and Sri Lankan officials, had traveled Tuesday morning to Batticaloa aboard two helicopters to attend a meeting about the development of the area, a hotbed of separatist violence.
"As their choppers landed mortars were fired by the Tigers," said Lt. Col. Upali Rajapakse, a senior officer the Defense Ministry's information section.
He said the diplomats already had gotten out of the helicopters when the mortars were fired. It was not immediately known how they sustained their injuries.
Seven Sri Lankan security personnel who were on the ground also were wounded, Rajapakse said.
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Robert O. Blake, Jr.

The U.S. and Italian ambassadors to Sri Lanka were "slightly injured" when their helicopters were targeted by mortars on a landing strip in Batticaloa. 

The projectiles were fired by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (Tamil Tigers) in Sri Lanka's east on Tuesday, officials said.

U.S. ambassador Robert Blake is reported to be "alright", Italian Pio Mariani suffered head wounds from shrapnel. They had already landed and disembarked from their aircraft when the explosions took place.

A spokesman for LTTE said they mistook them for a military target, and have apologized. They blame the military, who they say landed the diplomats in a site used for attacks on the rebels, even this very morning.

The ambassadors were reportedly visiting the area that was recently liberated by the Sri Lankan forces to observe the development activities of the area.