President says LTTE was helped by some interested parties for the attacks

It was an attempt by the Tamil Tigers, Mr. Rajapaksa told journalists in Colombo on Tuesday, to divert attention of the military movements to Wanni.

The LTTE is accused of killing over 27 civilians and injuring at least 60 in Buttala on 16 January.

'Interested parties' helping LTTE

Officials say another five people were killed by gunmen fleeing the attack and several soldiers were hurt in a second blast not far from the first explosion.

Bystanders told the BBC Sinhala service that the attackers, clad in black, had shot at them and fired in the air after the attack.

There are Ganja cultivating businessmen also around that area President Rajapaksa

Ten people were shot dead by suspected Tamil Tigers in Thanamalwila, on Friday. Three police personnel were killed as suspected LTTE launched an attack on a police post on Monday evening.

President Rajapaksa also hinted that groups other than the LTTE were either responsible or colluding with the LTTE to create panic.

Abrogation of CFA

He said that people with business and sinister political interests could be involved. "There are Ganja cultivating businessmen also around that area," President Rajapaksa has told the journalists.

I watched it (CFA) over two years and I was under pressure from various quarters to do it. But the decision came not because of the pressure President Rajapaksa

'Various quarters', he said, exerted pressure on him to abrogation of the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) signed with the LTTE.

"I watched it over two years and I was under pressure from various quarters to do it. But the decision came not because of the pressure," he was quoted as saying.

The Sri Lankan government announced the unilateral withdrawal of the CFA on 02 January.

However, the President was of the opinion that LTTE was not responsible for the recent minor bomb blasts in Colombo.

Attacks in Colombo

One person sustained injuries in a blast at Colombo Fort railway station on 11 January, military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakakra told BBC Sandeshaya.

	At least 27 people were killed in the claymore attack in Buttala

Earlier, a monior blast occured in front of state-owned Lake House, in the heart of the capital.

"I personally believe that the LTTE was not responsible for them. They wouldn't risk the arrest of two cadres with just sand bombs," he said.

Although he doesn't believe in a military solution for the national question, Mr. Rajapaksa said, "no solution can be given to terrorists".

The President said that the intention of the military campaign was not to gain territory. "We are only hitting back at the LTTE", he said.