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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 dozens hurt in a bomb attack on a bus in Sri Lanka, the military says. At least 26 people have been killed and dozens wounded in a bomb attack on a packed bus in Sri Lanka, the army says.
Many children were reportedly on the bus when it was attacked in the town of Buttala south-east of Colombo. The blast ripped through the vehicle in the town of Buttala, 240km (150 miles) south-east of the capital, Colombo.
Several soldiers were injured in a second blast not far from the first explosion. The army blamed the Tamil Tiger rebels for the attacks.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 attacks came as the ceasefire between Sri Lanka's government and the Tamil Tigers formally came to an end.
Fighting had been going on in the north and east of the island for about 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.
'Shots fired''Shots fired'
More than 60 people were wounded in Wednesday morning's attack on the bus in Buttala, some 240km (150 miles) from the capital, officials said. At least 67 people were wounded in Wednesday morning's attack on the bus in Buttala, army spokesman Brig Udaya Nanayakkara told the BBC.
A roadside bomb was detonated as the vehicle was driving past packed with civilians, including schoolchildren, according to the defence ministry. Everybody was screaming and I saw people on the ground in a bloodbath TM Lalani, Survivor
Army spokesman Brig Udaya Nanayakkara said the attackers fired shots into the wreckage after the explosion. He said four of those injured were children.
A roadside bomb was detonated as the vehicle was driving past the spot where it had been planted, according to the defence ministry.
Brig Nanayakkara said the attackers fired shots into the wreckage after the explosion. Hospital officials have yet to confirm whether any of the dead had gunshot wounds.
A woman bus passenger, who was taking her baby to the doctor, described the incident as a "bloodbath".
"I heard a loud noise and I thought it was a bomb, so I went under the seat of the bus with my baby and we heard firing for about five minutes," TM Lalani, 27, told Reuters news agency.
"Everybody was screaming and I saw people on the ground in a bloodbath.
"My leg got injured from pieces of glass. Luckily my baby has not got any injuries."
The second blast took place a short distance away - the target was an armoured vehicle and several soldiers were wounded.The second blast took place a short distance away - the target was an armoured vehicle and several soldiers were wounded.
'Ready to fight'
The government gave notice two weeks ago it was pulling out of the ceasefire agreement which was brokered by Norway in 2002.The government gave notice two weeks ago it was pulling out of the ceasefire agreement which was brokered by Norway in 2002.
Tamil Tiger rebels have vowed to defend themselves.Tamil Tiger rebels have vowed to defend themselves.
B Nadesan interview As the ceasefire came to an end fighting continued along the frontlines that surround territory held by the Tamil Tigers in northern Sri Lanka. B Nadesan interview
As the ceasefire came to an end fighting continued along the frontlines that surround territory held by the Tamil Tigers in northern Sri Lanka.
The government says the rebels, who want an independent state in the north and east, used the peace pact to rearm and regroup. It now says it 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 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 told the BBC they were ready to fight.The head of the Tigers' political wing B Nadesan told the BBC they were ready to fight.
"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.
Doubts
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.
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