Explosion in Sri Lankan port leads to 11 deaths

Angry mobs set fire to shops following two explosions today in a restive north-east Sri Lankan town, with 11 people reported killed.

An indefinite curfew was imposed on the strategic port town of Trincomalee and units from the Sri Lankan army and navy were posted there, said military spokesman Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe.

Samarasinghe said five people, including one soldier, were killed in one of the explosions, triggering mob violence that led to six further deaths.

“I heard an explosion and thereafter I received several calls saying that mobs were attacking Tamil people and their shops,” said Kadigamathamby Thurairatnasingham, a Trincomalee politician.

Suspected rebels launched two other deadly attacks in Trincomalee this week.

Earlier today, a mine blast struck a truck carrying policemen in the town, killing at least two officers and wounding two others.

Yesterday, at least 11 Sri Lankan military personnel were killed in an attack also blamed on the rebels.