A suspected LTTE female cadre blows herself up near the Colombo office of Douglas Devananda, the Tamil minister for social welfare, killing his personal secretary.
On the same day, a bomb exploded near the entrance to a popular department store in a Nugegoda, a busy suburb of Colombo. At least 21 people were reported killed and over 40 injured by the blast, blamed by the Sri Lankan military on the Tamil Tigers.
In July, the LTTE celebrated 20 years of suicide bombings.
Sources
Security clampdown in Sri Lanka capital after deadly blasts: police, AFP, 28 November 2007; Twin blasts kill 17 in Sri Lanka, rebels blamed, Reuters, 28 November 2008; TNA condemns Colombo blasts, BBC Sinhala, 28 November 2007.
Quotations
“I was just about 25 to 30 feet from the suicide bomber and I am used to such attempts being made on me,” Douglas Devananda, Social Welfare Minister.
“Both attacks were by the LTTE.” Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara.
“I myself would have been caught had I was there at the time of the blast…As a politician I can’t say straight away who carried out the attacks. I strongly condemn them whoever did it.” Chandrakanth Chandranehru,Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian.
“The LTTE must stop any direct or indiscriminate attacks on civilians. They are forbidden under international humanitarian law and are never acceptable.” Irene Khan, Amnesty International Secretary General.
“The callous attacks have no political justification and serve only to add to the suffering and grief of ordinary Sri Lankans.” European Union statement.
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