This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7367468.stm

The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Sri Lankan bus blast 'kills 17' Many dead in Sri Lanka bus blast
(20 minutes later)
At least 17 people have been killed and 50 wounded by a bombing on a bus in the outskirts of the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, officials have said. At least 23 people have been killed and about 50 wounded by a bombing on a bus in the outskirts of the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, officials have said.
The blast happened during rush hour while the bus stopped to pick up passengers in the city's southern suburb of Piliyandala, they added.The blast happened during rush hour while the bus stopped to pick up passengers in the city's southern suburb of Piliyandala, they added.
A government spokesman blamed the Tamil Tiger rebel group.A government spokesman blamed the Tamil Tiger rebel group.
Violence in Sri Lanka has intensified since January, when the government pulled out of a ceasefire agreement.Violence in Sri Lanka has intensified since January, when the government pulled out of a ceasefire agreement.
Earlier, the military said its troops had taken control of a church containing the country's most important Roman Catholic shrine.Earlier, the military said its troops had taken control of a church containing the country's most important Roman Catholic shrine.
The shrine lies on the front line in the town of Madhu in the northern Mannar region.The shrine lies on the front line in the town of Madhu in the northern Mannar region.
Both sides in the conflict have recently accused each other of shelling the revered complex, and photographs have shown considerable damage.Both sides in the conflict have recently accused each other of shelling the revered complex, and photographs have shown considerable damage.
'Cowardly act''Cowardly act'
The government spokesman, Lakshman Hulugalle, told the BBC that a parcel bomb left inside the vehicle had exploded as it waited at a bus stop to pick up people returning home from work.The government spokesman, Lakshman Hulugalle, told the BBC that a parcel bomb left inside the vehicle had exploded as it waited at a bus stop to pick up people returning home from work.
He blamed the Tamil Tigers for what he called a "cowardly attack on civilians".He blamed the Tamil Tigers for what he called a "cowardly attack on civilians".
A police spokesman said 52 wounded people were being treated at two hospitals.
The rebels, who are fighting for an independent state for the Tamil minority, have not commented on the blast.The rebels, who are fighting for an independent state for the Tamil minority, have not commented on the blast.
The attack comes as government forces continue a campaign against the Tigers in territory they control in the north of the island.The attack comes as government forces continue a campaign against the Tigers in territory they control in the north of the island.
On Wednesday, the two sides fought a fierce battle in the Jaffna peninsula. The military said it left more than 80 soldiers dead or missing but insisted the rebels had lost even more fighters, as well as their first line of defences.On Wednesday, the two sides fought a fierce battle in the Jaffna peninsula. The military said it left more than 80 soldiers dead or missing but insisted the rebels had lost even more fighters, as well as their first line of defences.
The rebels said they had repulsed the military's advance and inflicted a defeat on the government forces.The rebels said they had repulsed the military's advance and inflicted a defeat on the government forces.