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Deadly blast hits Sri Lanka bus Deadly blast hits Sri Lanka bus
(about 2 hours later)
At least 23 people have been killed and many hurt in a bomb attack on a bus in central Sri Lanka, the military says. At least 23 people have been killed and dozens hurt in a bomb attack on a bus in Sri Lanka, the military says.
The attack took place in the town of Buttala, some 240km (150 miles) south-east of the capital, Colombo. The army blamed the Tamil Tiger rebels. The attack took place in the town of Buttala, some 240km (150 miles) south-east of the capital, Colombo.
It came as the ceasefire between Sri Lanka's government and the Tamil Tigers formally came to an end. Several soldiers were injured in a second blast not far from the first explosion. The army blamed the Tamil Tiger rebels for the attacks.
The attacks came as the ceasefire between Sri Lanka's government and the Tamil Tigers formally came to an end.
The government gave notice two weeks ago it was pulling out of the agreement which was brokered by Norway in 2002.The government gave notice two weeks ago it was pulling out of the agreement which was brokered by Norway in 2002.
Fighting had been going on in the north and east of the island for around two years despite the truce. Fighting had been going on in the north and east of the island for about two years despite the truce.
Reports said at least 50 people were wounded in Wednesday morning's attack on the bus. Sixty seven people were wounded in Wednesday morning's attack on the bus.
Army spokesman Brig Udaya Nanayakkara told reporters that it was unclear whether the bomb was on the bus or placed on the roadside. A roadside bomb was detonated as a bus was driving past, packed with civilians, including schoolchildren, according to the ministry of defence.
Army spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said the attackers had fired shots into the wreckage after the explosion.
The second blast took place a short distance away - the target was an armoured vehicle and several soldiers were wounded.
'Shocked''Shocked'
It is reported that many school children were among the passengers.
Separately, the ceasefire between Sri Lanka's government and the Tamil Tigers has formally come to an end.Separately, the ceasefire between Sri Lanka's government and the Tamil Tigers has formally come to an end.
The government gave notice two weeks ago it was pulling out of the agreement which was brokered by Norway in 2002.The government gave notice two weeks ago it was pulling out of the agreement which was brokered by Norway in 2002.
Tamil Tiger rebels said on Thursday they were "shocked and disappointed" that the ceasefire was ending, but pledged fully to defend themselves. Tamil Tiger rebels said on Thursday they were "shocked and disappointed" that the ceasefire was ending and vowed to defend themselves.
As the ceasefire came to an end fighting continued along the frontlines that surround territory held by the Tamil Tigers in northern Sri Lanka.As the ceasefire came to an end fighting continued along the frontlines that surround territory held by the Tamil Tigers in northern Sri Lanka.
BBC interview with B Nadesan BBC interview with B Nadesan
The government says the rebels, who want an independent state in the north and east, used the peace pact signed in 2002 to rearm and regroup. It now aims to crush them by the end of this year. The government says the rebels, who want an independent state in the north and east, used the peace pact signed in 2002 to rearm and regroup. It now says it aims to crush them by the end of this year.
The head of the Tigers' political wing B Nadesan said they would fight back.The head of the Tigers' political wing B Nadesan said they would fight back.
"Definitely if they try to launch a major offensive against our forces the Sri Lankan forces will face severe casualties," he said."Definitely if they try to launch a major offensive against our forces the Sri Lankan forces will face severe casualties," he said.
DoubtsDoubts
The government now says it will produce within weeks a long delayed package of devolution proposals.The government now says it will produce within weeks a long delayed package of devolution proposals.
It is seeking to sideline the separatist Tigers and resolve with other groups the complaints of the Tamil minority that they have been marginalised for decades by Sinhalese-dominated governments.It is seeking to sideline the separatist Tigers and resolve with other groups the complaints of the Tamil minority that they have been marginalised for decades by Sinhalese-dominated governments.
The BBC's Roland Buerk in Colombo says there are serious doubts over whether the scheme can work.The BBC's Roland Buerk in Colombo says there are serious doubts over whether the scheme can work.
As the last hours of the ceasefire ticked away the Japanese peace envoy, Yasushi Akashi, held meetings with government officials in Colombo.As the last hours of the ceasefire ticked away the Japanese peace envoy, Yasushi Akashi, held meetings with government officials in Colombo.
Japan is a major donor to Sri Lanka and has hinted it might reconsider its aid package, warning of the dire humanitarian consequences of an intensified war.Japan is a major donor to Sri Lanka and has hinted it might reconsider its aid package, warning of the dire humanitarian consequences of an intensified war.