8:33 PM

Blast near Lake house

An explosion has taken place next to the Regent flats, close to Lake House roundabout, short while ago. According to the news-lanka sources, the bomb has been exploded in a public phone booth this evening (January 08) at around 7.50.p.m.

One man sustained minor injuries in the blast that shook the area close to Lake House a short while ago. The explosive devise was said to have been placed in a Phone booth.


3:32 PM

Ten terrorists killed

At least ten terrorists were killed in clashes today (January 08) ahead of the Wanni defences, when troops forced into non-liberated territory at Mullikulama and Periyathampanae.The strikes were launched as effective response measures to LTTE elements, in keeping with the government's intention to salvage entrapped Tamil civilians from the grip of the terrorist outfit, Army said.

Meanwhile, Air force said, precision aerial raids were conducted at a pre-identified LTTE nerve center located North of Palampiddi, Mullikulama, this morning at 9.20.

Pilots confirmed that the LTTE base was destroyed following the attack. Terrorist casualty figures were not immediately available, sources further added.

12:55 PM

Minister D.M Dassanayake succumbs

Non-cabinet Nation Building Minister, D.M Dassanayake succumbed to injuries short while ago at the Ragama Teaching Hospital, hospital sources said.

Speaking to defence.lk, the Deputy Director of the Ragama Teaching Hospital said, the Minister sustained severe injuries due to the claymore explosion and he succumbed around 12.25 p.m while being treated at Intensive Care Unit at Ragama hospital.

10:02 AM

Claymore explosion

A claymore bomb has been triggered off targeting a VIP motorcade carrying a non-cabinet minister of Nation Building, D.M Dassanayake, at Ja-Ela around 10.35 this morning, January 08.

According to the available information the motorcade was plying towards Colombo along the Negombo - Colombo (A-3) main road when the explosion occurred near the Rukmani Devi junction, defence sources said.