Cablegate: Bomb Blast in Colombo Targets Army Bus

VZCZCXRO3118
OO RUEHBI
DE RUEHLM #0006 0021149
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 021149Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7425
INFO RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 0612
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 7599
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU PRIORITY 5779
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 4200
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 1684
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO PRIORITY 4207
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 3303
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI PRIORITY 8201
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI PRIORITY 5772
RUEHON/AMCONSUL TORONTO PRIORITY 0493
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 2518
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000006

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS, DS/ITA, DS/IP/SCA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS ASEC CE
SUBJECT: BOMB BLAST IN COLOMBO TARGETS ARMY BUS

1. A bomb exploded in the "Slave Island" area of Colombo 2
around 9:30 am on January 2. The apparent target was a bus
carrying Sri Lanka Army troops. The director of the Colombo
National Hospital has confirmed five deaths, at least two of
which were SLA personnel, and over 25 injuries. A nearby
hotel was damaged by the blast. A cordon and search
operation is being conducted in the area. Police contacts
told RSO that the explosion was caused by a claymore mine.

2. COMMENT: Although audible at the Embassy, the blast did
not damage the Embassy and no mission personnel were injured.
Post will report further updates septel.

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