Separate commissions to investigate blasts

[TamilNet, Monday, 20 December 1999, 00:18 GMT]
The body of a woman who is believed to have caused the blast at the Peopleís Aliance (PA) rally in Colombo on Saturday has been identified as a junior employee of the Colombo Municipal Council, the police said Sunday.

The Inspector General of Police Lucky Kodithuwaku said two separate commissions have been set up on orders by the President Chandrika Kumaratunga, who was lightly wounded in the blast, to investigate this bomb attack and another in Ja-Ela also on Saturday at the opposition United National Party rally.

The commission that will investigate the blast in Colombo, will be led by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Indira de Silva, and will consist three other DIGs, the IGP said.

Police said 24 persons, including DIG, Colombo District, T.N.de Silva and five members of the Presidential Security Division (PSD) were killed in the blast. Four PA ministers were wounded along with the President.

Kumaratunga, in an address to the nation over the state radio said that Tuesday's presidential election will be held as scheduled.

She blamed the Liberation Tigers for the blast at the PA rally and condemned it as an act of terrorism.

The Police Head Quarters has made arrangements for the funeral of DIG Silva that will ill take place in Colombo Monday sources said.

The Commission that has been set up to investigate in to the blast at UNP rally at Ja-Ela will consist 4 DIGs and will led by DIG, P.K.C.Perera, Mr.Kodithuwaku said.

Sources at Ragama hospital said 13 persons were killed in this blast and at least 40 others wounded.

The commissions, according to the IGP, will investigate to find if there had been any security lapse and if so, to elaborate on how it occurred.

The commission will submit a report on its findings, he said.

The police said security in the capital Colombo has been further tightened in view of Tuesday's presidential election.