Director of Kilinochchi hospital, Dr. Satyamurthi, told BBC Tamil Service that four more civilians with serious injuries were admitted to the hospital.

He added that all four who are in a coma, are being treated in emergency care unit.

Three of the bodies, Dr. Satyamurthi said, were already identified by the relatives.

Colombo blast

There were no serious casualties reported in the Colombo blast as the passenger bus had been evacuated shortly before the blast, after passengers spotted a suspicious-looking package.

Four civilians have been admitted to Colombo hospital due to shock caused by the explosion, Sri Lanka defence ministry said.

The government accused the Tamil Tigers of "attempting to cause mayhem" in the capital targeting civilians.

This latest attack comes as government forces step up their offensive against the Tamil Tigers in the rebel-held north of the country.