LTTE terrorists have carried out a cowardly bomb blast targeting innocent civilians at Okkampitiya, Monaragala this morning (16 January). According to the available information the bus which was plying from Buttala to Okkampitiya with large number of civilians including schoolchildren has been targeted in the explosion.

Police sources said that the terrorists have exploded claymore mine targeting the bus and subsequently opened fire at the survivors . The explosion has taken place around 7.40 am at Telangugaspallama ,Niyadalla, Okkampitiya, the sources added.

According to the latest reports 26 people have been killed and over 60 suffered injuries in the attack. Hospital sources said that 8 people including two children among the wounded are in critical condition.

LTTE is a ruthless terrorist outfit notorious for crimes against women and children. In its pursuit for a mono ethnic separate homeland for Tamils, the outfit has killed and maimed over tens and thousands innocent children in ethnic cleansing raids, indiscriminate bomb attacks and by using child soldiers at the battle fronts. FBI in a recent report called LTTE the most dangerous terrorist outfit in the world.

Meanwhile, all the schools in the the Uva Province have been closed for three days with effect from today.

Source : [URL="http://www.defence.lk"]