Suicide outrage in Akuressa; many killed and injured, Minister Wijesekera airlifted to Colombo

By Isuri Kaviratna reporting from Matara (Updated)

(March 10, Matara, Sri Lanka Guardian) Minister Mahinda Wijesekara injured in this mornings LTTE suicide bomb attack in Akuressa where 14 others were killed is being airlifted to Colombo for further treatment, hospital sources said. He was taken out from the hospital a shortwhile ago.

At least 40 persons injured in the LTTE suicide bomb attack near a mosque at Godapitiya, in Akurassa , in the Matara district around 11 , this morning were being treated in hospitals in the area, Military spokesman Brig Udaya Nanayakkara said.

The Defence Ministry said the LTTE had targeted the Muslim devotees attending the national Milad-Un-Nabi celebration , held at the mosque today.

The bomber had come on a push cycle, got off and set off the explosion, Brig Nanayakkara quoted eyewitnesses as saying.

Director of the Matara Hospital, Dr. Aruna Jayasekara said that arrangements were being to transfer the Minister to the Karapitiya hospital in Galle.

Director of the National Hospital in Colombo Dr. Hector Weerasinghe said that a special medical team has also been airlifted to treat the minister.

Local politicians, Linton Abeydeera, Upali Sarathchandra, Thilan Wijesekara and three students are among those killed.

The driver of Minister Wijesekara, Dilhan Kurukularatna said "The minister along with other guest were in a procession that had come from Weligama when the explosion took place".

Residents said Minister A.H.M.Fowzie, Pandu Bandaranayaka, Chandrasiri Gajadeera, Ameer Ali and Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena were among those present.

Minister Bandula Gunawardena who was heading to the south for another function later in the day rushed to the hospital to visit the injured. He said the other ministers present were not injured.

Pictures courtesy from the "Lankadeepa", Colombo based daily news paper

Former Provincial Council Chief Minister, H.G.Sirisena sustained minor injuries while his son Manoj Sirisena who sustained serious injuries was transferred to the Karapitiya hospital.

Meanwhile Minister Wijsekara continues to remain in the Matara hospital and doctors arriving from Colombo are to decide whether he could be transferred to Karapitiya or to Colombo, hospital sources said. -Sri Lanka Guardian