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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| S Lanka anniversary amid tensions | S Lanka anniversary amid tensions |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A large military parade is under way amid tight security in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, to mark the 60th anniversary of national independence. | A large military parade is under way amid tight security in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, to mark the 60th anniversary of national independence. |
| The anniversary comes as fighting has intensified between the government and the Tamil Tigers. | The anniversary comes as fighting has intensified between the government and the Tamil Tigers. |
| Security forces are on high alert after a series of bombings over the weekend. | Security forces are on high alert after a series of bombings over the weekend. |
| At least 11 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack at the main railway station on Sunday, while 18 died in a bus blast in Dambulla on Saturday. | At least 11 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack at the main railway station on Sunday, while 18 died in a bus blast in Dambulla on Saturday. |
| Both were blamed by the government on the Tamil Tigers rebels, though the rebels have denied involvement. | Both were blamed by the government on the Tamil Tigers rebels, though the rebels have denied involvement. |
| The BBC's Roland Buerk in Colombo says Monday morning's parade is a show of strength by Sri Lanka's armed forces - once again, officially at war with the Tamil Tiger rebels. | The BBC's Roland Buerk in Colombo says Monday morning's parade is a show of strength by Sri Lanka's armed forces - once again, officially at war with the Tamil Tiger rebels. |
| Attack fears | Attack fears |
| Ranks of soldiers, sailors and airmen were drawn up on grounds overlooking the Indian Ocean. | Ranks of soldiers, sailors and airmen were drawn up on grounds overlooking the Indian Ocean. |
| Tanks and trucks carrying multi-barrelled rocket launchers rumbled past. Heavy guns fired a salute sending smoke drifting out over the blue water, our correspondent says. | Tanks and trucks carrying multi-barrelled rocket launchers rumbled past. Heavy guns fired a salute sending smoke drifting out over the blue water, our correspondent says. |
| In a speech marking the 60th anniversary of independence, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said Sri Lanka was facing the challenge of eradicating terrorism and poverty. | |
| The parade is the first major event since the truce officially ended | |
| Much of the centre of Colombo has been sealed off by military checkpoint. | Much of the centre of Colombo has been sealed off by military checkpoint. |
| Thousands of police and troops are on the streets and the navy has stepped up coastal patrols to combat a possible sea-borne attack. | Thousands of police and troops are on the streets and the navy has stepped up coastal patrols to combat a possible sea-borne attack. |
| Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told Reuters news agency that the armed forces were expecting the rebels to launch an attack. | Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told Reuters news agency that the armed forces were expecting the rebels to launch an attack. |
| "There have been recoveries of suicide jackets and an LTTE cadre (fighter) last week. They are trying to disrupt the independence celebrations," he said. | "There have been recoveries of suicide jackets and an LTTE cadre (fighter) last week. They are trying to disrupt the independence celebrations," he said. |
| Civilians targeted | Civilians targeted |
| Last month, the government pulled out of the 2002 ceasefire with the Tamil Tigers, arguing the rebels had used it to re-group and re-arm. | Last month, the government pulled out of the 2002 ceasefire with the Tamil Tigers, arguing the rebels had used it to re-group and re-arm. |
| Since then, fighting has intensified on the frontlines that surround Tiger-held territory in the north. | Since then, fighting has intensified on the frontlines that surround Tiger-held territory in the north. |
| Civilians are also being targeted - there were explosions in a bus and at a railway station over the weekend. | Civilians are also being targeted - there were explosions in a bus and at a railway station over the weekend. |
| Sri Lanka's army commander Lieutenant-General Sarath Fonseka has said he now aims to defeat the rebels by the end of the year. | Sri Lanka's army commander Lieutenant-General Sarath Fonseka has said he now aims to defeat the rebels by the end of the year. |
| The Tigers have marked independence day by once again saying they will fight on for a separate state for the Tamil minority in the north and east. | The Tigers have marked independence day by once again saying they will fight on for a separate state for the Tamil minority in the north and east. |
| The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have been fighting for an independent state in the north and east since 1983. | The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have been fighting for an independent state in the north and east since 1983. |