Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and 12 others killed in LTTE
suicide bomb attack
LTTE terrorists have exploded a bomb targeting a road
marathon organized in the Weliweriaya town around 7.30 this morning.
Minister of
Highways and Road Development Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, who was the chief
guest to the occasion along with many civilians was reported killed in
the cowardly bomb attack. According to latest reports received, at
least 12 people were killed and many injured in the explosion.
K.A. Karunarathne, who was a former national and
South Asian marathon gold medalist, is also said to be among the dead.
The bomb has been exploded just before the Minister
declared the start of the marathon at the Kanthi play ground, in
Weliweriaya, corresponding with a 'Hindu-Sinhala New Year' event.
Meanwhile, Gampaha Division SSP Hector Dharmasiri was
also seriously injured and admitted to the General Hospital at Gampaha.
Gampaha Hospital sources, speaking to defence.lk said that at least 90
people were admitted with serious injuries. 3 civilians were also
admitted to the teaching hospital at Ragama and one was reported in
critical condition, according to Ragama hospital sources.
Minister Jeyaraj was a politician who represented the
parliament from the Sri Lanka Freedom Party since 1983. A lawyer by
profession, Minister Jeyaraj was a fluent speaker in Sinhalese, Tamil and
English languages. Being a faithful catholic the Minister expressed his
concerns over LTTE's occupation of scared Madhu church and the removal
of the Madhu statue.
During his career, Minister Jeyaraj has held the many
ministerial portfolios including, the Minster of Catholic Affairs,
Minister of Ethnic Concession and National Unity, Minister of Port and
Aviation, and Minister of Road Development. He was 55 years old and a
father of two children. He had also been appointed the UPFA organizer
for the Trincomalee District for the forthcoming provincial council
elections in the East.
LTTE is a ruthless terrorist outfit notorious for
crimes against innocent civilians. In its pursuit for a mono ethnic
separate homeland for Tamils, the outfit has killed and maimed over tens
and innocent children, Tamil and Sinhalese political leaders in
indiscriminate bomb attacks. FBI in a recent report called LTTE the most
dangerous terrorist outfit in the world.
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A boy, who was wounded in a bomb explosion,
receives medical treatment at the hospital in Gampaha. (Photo Courtesy
Reuters). | |
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People look at the name list of bomb victims
displayed at the hospital in Gampaha. (Photo Courtesy Reuters). |
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A police officer, who was wounded at a bomb
explosion as he escorted highway minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle,
receives medical treatment at a hospital in Gampaha. (Photo Courtesy
Reuters).
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Sri Lankan police officials call for help
as victims of a suicide bomb blast lay on the ground. (Photo Courtesy
AP). |
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Seconds before the fateful moment |
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Images from the blast scene. (Photo Courtesy Reuters). |
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12 people were killed and over 50 injured in the LTTE suicide
blast. (Photo Courtesy Reuters). |
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Former South Asian marathon champion K.A. Karunarathne and
National athletic coach Laxman de Alwis were also among
the victims. (Photo Courtesy Reuters). |
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