COLOMBO, Feb. 16, Reuter: Two bombs exploded in a crowded Hindu temple during. Religious festival in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Tuesday, killing at least seven people and injuring 13 others, police and eyewitnesses said.
They said the bombs were set off under brass oil lamps as hundreds of worshippers celebrated the “Maha Sivarathri” festival to honor the God Shiva at Sri Manikapillayar Temple about 3 km from the city center.
Police initially said 12 people were killed and 20 wounded but later lowered the casualty toll.
A few hours before the Temple bombing, a popular film star turned politician was killed at his house about six km away.
Police said Vijaya Kumaranatunga, leader of the leftist Sri Lanka Mahajana Party, was shot in the face with an automatic rifle.
Police said they suspected the two gunmen who escaped on a motorcycle belonged to the out Jawed Janathan Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) — the People’s Liberation Front — which opposes last year’s Indo Sri Lankan accord to end a Tamil separatist revolt.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 19, 1988
