Bomb on packed train kills eight

A BOMB ripped through part of a packed passenger train during evening rush hour yesterday, killing eight people and wounding 70 others near the Sri Lankan capital.

Military spokesman Brig Udaya Nanayakkara blamed Tamil Tiger rebels for the bombing near the railroad station in Dehiwala, about six miles south of Colombo.

Rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan did not respond to calls seeking comment but the rebels routinely deny such attacks.