Police and soldiers inspect the damage after the second explosion

The first of the blasts occurred less than an hour after the squad left the city for Kandy, where they will begin the first Test on Saturday.

And although 17 people were killed in the two attacks, with 22 wounded, the tour will proceed as planned for now.

An England spokesman said: "We won't be complacent during the tour."

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Their security advisor Reg Dickason consulted with the British High Commission in Colombo after both incidents.

The second bomb - in which 16 were killed - ripped through the entrance of a popular department store in the suburb of Nugegoda, killing innocent bystanders.

Detonated remotely, at around 6pm local time, it exploded about five miles from where England had been staying in Colombo.

We always keep the tour itinerary and security arrangements under review England spokesman

An elderly disabled woman detonated the first device outside the residence of Sri Lanka's welfare minister Douglas Devananda in a suicide attack.

She killed the minister's personal secretary, and injured two security personnel.

It was then made clear that even after the second bomb England would stick to their itinerary, for the time being at least.

The England spokesman said: "We have spoken to the High Commission in light of the bomb.

"There has been no change in the travel advice we have received from them, at this stage, and it has no effect on the tour arrangements.

Sri Lankan soldiers guard the site of the first bomb on Wednesday

"We always keep the tour itinerary and security arrangements under review."

The separatist Tamil Tigers movement was blamed for both attacks.

The bombs came a day after Tamil Tigers leader Velupillai Prabhakaran gave his annual 'heroes' speech in which past members of the organisation are remembered.

In his address, Prabhakaran gave little hope of a return to peace, last enjoyed in Sri Lanka between 2002 and 2005.

"There are 16 dead bodies in the hospital and 20 people wounded," a military spokesman told Reuters, referring to the second attack, which took place in a residential quarter of the city.

The Colombo Test, to be played at the city's Sinhalese Sports Club ground, is due to begin on 9 December.

Kandy, where England will remain until 6 December, is five hours by road from Colombo up in the Sri Lankan hill country. It is considered a much safer area than the capital.