Tamils 'prime suspects' in suicide bombing
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.COLOMBO (Reuter) - Sri Lankan police said yesterday they had found evidence linking the assassination of President Ranasinghe Premadasa with Tamil separatists. The director of the Police Crime Detection Bureau, Lionel Gunatillake, told a news conference that the Tamil Tigers were the prime suspects.
He said the suicide bomber, who may have been only 14 and who was beheaded by the blast, had a broken piece of a cyanide capsule embedded in his neck. Tamil rebels wear cyanide capsules around their necks to swallow in the event of capture.
The separatist rebels, who have fought for 10 years for their own homeland, have denied involvement.
Twenty-four people, including the president, died in the explosion on Saturday. Thirty-eight others were injured. The dead included seven police officers, civilian and party supporters.
Yesterday hundreds of people queued for hours to pay their last respects to Premadasa, known as 'the common man's president'. Many elderly women collapsed in tears when they reached his flag-draped coffin. But elsewhere firecrackers were set off to celebrate his death.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments