Cablegate: Explosion in Colombo, Sri Lanka Neighborhood

VZCZCXYZ0080
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLM #0216 0610129
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 010129Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7769
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUENAAA/SECNAV WASHDC

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000216

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR DS/RD/SCA, DS/ITA, DS/OSAC, SCA/INS
SECDEF/SECNAV PLEASE PASS TO PACOM

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC PTER
SUBJECT: EXPLOSION IN COLOMBO, SRI LANKA NEIGHBORHOOD

1. (U) An alleged LTTE member detonated a bomb around 0615
hr. local on 02/29/2008 in a northern Colombo neighborhood.
Police stated that the SUBJECT initiated the bomb as police
officers, acting on a tip, attempted to search his room in a
lodge on Aluth Mawatha in Modara, located in Colombo 15. At
least four officers were injured in the blast and were
hospitalized. Police discovered the SUBJECT's body in the
blast debris. The body and the walls showed evidence of
damage from steel ball bearings that appear to have been part
of the improvised explosive device.

2. (U) The Deputy Inspector General for Western Province
Intelligence told RSO Colombo local investigator that the
SUBJECT was not a suicide cadre, but a bomb maker who had
apparently been working in the LTTE Logistics Wing. Police
believe SUBJECT detonated the device to avoid capture. The
Embassy has received no reports of AMCIT injuries or deaths.
Investigation is continuing.

3. (U) Point of contact for this message is Special Agent
Michael Perkins, Regional Security Officer. S.A. Perkins may
be contacted at 94.11.249.3756, 94.11.249.8888 (Marine Post
One after regular business hours), and via email at
perkinsmv@state.gov (unclassified) or
perkinsmv@state.sgov.gov (classified).
BLAKE

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