Sri Lanka general killed in suspected suicide attack

COLOMBO - A senior Sri Lankan general and two soldiers were killed on Monday in a huge explosion around 12 miles (20 km) east of the Sri Lankan capital in a suspected Tamil Tiger suicide attack, police said.

General Paramy Kulathunga was travelling to a military base when motorcyclists approached his convoy.

"The general is dead. Two others are also dead," Chief Inspector of Police Chaminda Banunurachchi said at the scene.

"I think it was a suicide attack by motorcyclists against the general."

Military sources had earlier said four people were killed in the attack in the town of Panipitiya, around 6 miles (10 km) from a big army base, but Banunurachchi said the death toll was three.

The Tamil Tigers had no immediate comment on the incident, but routinely deny involvement in attacks.

A witness at the scene saw a burnt-out Peugeot car lying in the road, still smouldering. Another pick-up truck in the general's convoy was also damaged.

The attack comes on the heels of a rash of ambushes and military clashes that have killed around 700 people - half of them civilians - so far this year. Many fear the rash of violence could reignite a two-decade civil war with the rebels.

- REUTERS