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Major Gen Janaka Perera among 27 killed, 94 injured
2008-10-06 09:29:31

At least 27 persons including Major General Janaka Perera, his wife and UNP Anuradhapura district co-ordinator Dr. Johnpulle and his wife have been killed and 94 others were injured in a suicide bomb attack in Anuradhapura town, UNP sources said.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Jayantha Gamage confirmed the death toll.

The bombing took place at 8.40 a.m. at the opening of a UNP office at Dharmapala Mawatha where a large number of UNP members were present.

UNP sources said a person dressed in a blue T-shirt and short exploded himself close to Maj Gen Perera.

Former NCP opposition leader, Sunil Dissanayaka was among those killed. PC member Anurdeen and another laywer identified as Hameed was also killed.

Several journalists were among those killed or injured. Sirasa Anuradhapura correspondent, Maharoof Mohammed Rashmi, 31, is among them.

Former PC member, Shantha Punchihewa, Laywers A.C. Hameed, Thanuja Rajapaksa, Provincial Council member, A.H.Anurdeen, former Deputy Mayor Kumara Pathirana, former City Coroner C.J.Ratnayaka, PC defeated candidate Subashini Charles have also been killed.

The condition of 15 others are serious, Dr. Sarath Weerabandana, Director of the Anuradhapura hospital said.


Maj Gen Perera who was educated at St Joseph's College joined the army in 1966 and served in the army for 34 years.

He retired in 2001 and was posted as Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to Australia and later as the Ambassador in Indonesia.

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayaka told a news conference that the government should take the responsibility of the deaths.

He blamed the government for failure to provide adequate security to the former military officer.
br> DIG Jayantha Gamage accompanied by the Government Analyst have been flown to Anuradhapura to carry out investigations. .

 
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