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The international truce monitors in Sri Lanka have warned Sri Lanka government and the Tamil Tigers to cease all violence against the civilian population. The Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) has reminded the parties to the conflict that the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) signed in February 2002 "still in force". Both the Government and the Tamil Tigers agreed to "abstain from hostile acts against the civilian population in accordance with international law," a statement by the SLMM said. Bus blasts SLMM monitors visited the scene of the Friday's bomb blast in Nittambuwa to start investigations, the statement issued on Saturday stated.
At least five people were killed and over 50 injured in the blast in a private bus carrying passengers to Giriulla from Nittambuwa. The monitors say they have initiated investigations into the second bus explosion on Saturday at Godagama, near Hikkaduwa which killed at least 15 people. The government has accused Tamil Tigers of carrying out attacks on civilian passengers in order to "divert attention of the military authorities". There was no immediate response from the LTTE. Air attack The SLMM monitors have also inspected the scene of the Sri Lanka Air Force sir strikes in Padahuthurai, north of Mannar. At least 15 people were killed and over 50 have sustained injuries in the attack.
Catholic Bishop for Mannar diocese, Rayappu Joseph, told the BBC after visiting the scene that there was no LTTE presence in Padahathurai and the victims were poor fishermen. But the Government's Defence Affairs spokesman, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, insisted that air force targeted "a naval camp of the LTTE". Claymore attacks In a separate statment, the SLMM has expressed concern over the increase in claymore attacks in recent weeks. There have been a sharp increase in Claymore bomb attacks around Vavuniya, killing at least two policemen, a soldier and a LTTE cadre. "In Cheddikulam the claymore was placed on the roadside of a busy road which is used by many civilians," the statement said. | LOCAL LINKS  Second bus bomb kills 1106 January, 2007 | Sandeshaya Bomb blast in Nittambuwa kills six05 January, 2007 | Sandeshaya Govt. made a mistake - UNP03 January, 2007 | Sandeshaya Safeguard civilian life - UN03 January, 2007 | Sandeshaya Sri Lanka raid 'kills civilians' 02 January, 2007 | Sandeshaya Ten killed in Sri Lanka01 January, 2007 | Sandeshaya | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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