Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09COLOMBO279
2009-03-11 12:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:
SRI LANKA: SUICIDE BOMBING AT SOUTHERN MOSQUE KILLS 14; ONE
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UNCLAS COLOMBO 000279
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/INS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV ASEC MOPS CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: SUICIDE BOMBING AT SOUTHERN MOSQUE KILLS 14; ONE
MINISTER SERIOUSLY WOUNDED
UNCLAS COLOMBO 000279
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/INS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV ASEC MOPS CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: SUICIDE BOMBING AT SOUTHERN MOSQUE KILLS 14; ONE
MINISTER SERIOUSLY WOUNDED
1. A presumed LTTE suicide bomb attack killed at least 14 and
injured 36 at celebrations for the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed
on March 10 at 10:15 am. The explosion at the Godapitiya Mosque in
Akuressa, 15 km inland from the principal southern coastal town of
Matara and about 160 km south of Colombo, occurred while several
government ministers were walking into the mosque with a crowd of
devotees.
2. Minister of Telecommunications (and Special Projects) Mahinda
Wijesekera suffered serious head injuries. He was treated at Matara
hospital and then airlifted to Colombo where he underwent four hours
of surgery. He was taken off life support today and has reportedly
regained consciousness. Principal Government Spokesman (and
Cultural Affairs Minister) Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene was also
injured. Former Chief Minister of the Southern Province H.G.
Sirisena was airlifted to Colombo General Hospital, along with his
son Manoj. Six members of local councils, all members of the
President's Sri Lanka Freedom Party, were also among the injured.
3. Other VIPs who were attending, but were not injured, were former
Minister of Petroleum A. H. M. Fowzie, Deputy Minister for Housing
and Construction Chandrasiri Gajadeera and Deputy Minister of
Buddhist Affairs Pandu Bandaranaike.
4. Earlier on March 10 President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in a message on
the birth of the Holy Prophet Mohammed said, "The Muslims of Sri
Lanka will have greater joy in these celebrations this year as they
come after the establishment of democracy in the Eastern Province,
and the fast approaching liberation of the North too from the
clutches of terrorism." In a statement after the blast, the
government said the attack reaffirms that the LTTE is a ruthless
terrorist organization that has no regard or respect for religion.
BLAKE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/INS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PGOV ASEC MOPS CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: SUICIDE BOMBING AT SOUTHERN MOSQUE KILLS 14; ONE
MINISTER SERIOUSLY WOUNDED
1. A presumed LTTE suicide bomb attack killed at least 14 and
injured 36 at celebrations for the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed
on March 10 at 10:15 am. The explosion at the Godapitiya Mosque in
Akuressa, 15 km inland from the principal southern coastal town of
Matara and about 160 km south of Colombo, occurred while several
government ministers were walking into the mosque with a crowd of
devotees.
2. Minister of Telecommunications (and Special Projects) Mahinda
Wijesekera suffered serious head injuries. He was treated at Matara
hospital and then airlifted to Colombo where he underwent four hours
of surgery. He was taken off life support today and has reportedly
regained consciousness. Principal Government Spokesman (and
Cultural Affairs Minister) Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene was also
injured. Former Chief Minister of the Southern Province H.G.
Sirisena was airlifted to Colombo General Hospital, along with his
son Manoj. Six members of local councils, all members of the
President's Sri Lanka Freedom Party, were also among the injured.
3. Other VIPs who were attending, but were not injured, were former
Minister of Petroleum A. H. M. Fowzie, Deputy Minister for Housing
and Construction Chandrasiri Gajadeera and Deputy Minister of
Buddhist Affairs Pandu Bandaranaike.
4. Earlier on March 10 President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in a message on
the birth of the Holy Prophet Mohammed said, "The Muslims of Sri
Lanka will have greater joy in these celebrations this year as they
come after the establishment of democracy in the Eastern Province,
and the fast approaching liberation of the North too from the
clutches of terrorism." In a statement after the blast, the
government said the attack reaffirms that the LTTE is a ruthless
terrorist organization that has no regard or respect for religion.
BLAKE