New security measures in Sri Lanka

Mar 11, Colombo: Sri Lankan government is to implement a new security system in the south following the LTTE suicide attack in Akuressa yesterday that killed 15 people and injured many others including Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mahinda Wijesekara and several other politicians.

According to sources there had been security lapses on the part of the police officials who were on duty at the scene yesterday.

"The entry of vehicles to the site where the function was held had been barred for some time. Yet, a top police official based in the area had allowed the vehicles to pass later. The suicide bomber had used the opportunity to reach the target in his motor bike," sources said.

The government said the ministers had been advised to take extra precautions following the attack and a new security system would be implemented throughout the country to prevent such possible attacks in the future.

A suspected Tamil Tiger suicide bomber on a motor bike targeted a procession celebrating Milad-un-Nabi Prophet Mohammed's birthday near Jumma Mosque at Godapitiya Godapitiya, Akuressa in Sothern Sri Lanka yesterday morning.

Minister Wijesekara was seriously injured in the blast and air-lifted to Colombo National Hospital. Several Pradeshiya Sabha officials were killed in the attack.

The suicide attack comes as the Sri Lankan troops are in a final assault on the depleting LTTE outfit in northeast. The rebels have been pushed into a 45 square kilometer strip of land in Mullaitivu along the coast.

Defence analysts say the Tigers will resort to more suicide bombings in the future as they are no longer capable of carrying out conventional military operations.