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Sri Lanka probes 'bomber offer' | Sri Lanka probes 'bomber offer' |
(4 days later) | |
Sri Lankan police are investigating posters that have appeared in Colombo urging would-be suicide bombers to change their minds in return for cash. | Sri Lankan police are investigating posters that have appeared in Colombo urging would-be suicide bombers to change their minds in return for cash. |
The posters carry a government telephone number but the military says the campaign is a hoax. | The posters carry a government telephone number but the military says the campaign is a hoax. |
Sri Lanka has seen hundreds of suicide bombings during the war between the government and the Tamil Tiger rebels. | Sri Lanka has seen hundreds of suicide bombings during the war between the government and the Tamil Tiger rebels. |
The posters have appeared in an area of Colombo that is home to people of the ethnic Tamil minority. | The posters have appeared in an area of Colombo that is home to people of the ethnic Tamil minority. |
The text on the poster, beside a photograph of a suicide bomber's severed head, reads: "You were also born to live... Why should you carry bombs?" | The text on the poster, beside a photograph of a suicide bomber's severed head, reads: "You were also born to live... Why should you carry bombs?" |
Those contemplating becoming one of the rebels' so-called Black Tigers are urged to change their minds and call a government operated 118 telephone line. | Those contemplating becoming one of the rebels' so-called Black Tigers are urged to change their minds and call a government operated 118 telephone line. |
Ten million rupees, or about $90,000, are promised to build a new life at home or abroad. | Ten million rupees, or about $90,000, are promised to build a new life at home or abroad. |
Devastating effect | Devastating effect |
Sri Lanka's military spokesman, Brig Udaya Nanayakkara, said the police were investigating the posters. | Sri Lanka's military spokesman, Brig Udaya Nanayakkara, said the police were investigating the posters. |
He said there was no answer when he had called the number himself and he suspected it was a hoax. | He said there was no answer when he had called the number himself and he suspected it was a hoax. |
The Tamil Tigers have used suicide bombers to devastating effect during their long war for an independent state. | The Tamil Tigers have used suicide bombers to devastating effect during their long war for an independent state. |
In February a woman blew herself up in Colombo's main railway station. | In February a woman blew herself up in Colombo's main railway station. |
Among the dead were seven members of a school baseball team and their coach. | Among the dead were seven members of a school baseball team and their coach. |
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