At least 10 people have been killed in an explosion in southern Sri Lanka, police say.
At least 10 people have been killed in an explosion in southern Sri Lanka, police say.
A cabinet minister is among more than 20 people injured in the blast near the town of Matara, 160km (100 miles) south of the capital, Colombo.
At least one minister is among more than 20 people injured in the blast near the town of Matara, 160km (100 miles) south of the capital, Colombo.
The Sri Lankan defence ministry said the explosion was a suicide attack by Tamil Tiger rebels.
Government officials were attending a function at a mosque to celebrate an Islamic holiday at the time.
Local residents said several government ministers were attending a function at the mosque at the time of the blast.
The defence ministry said the blast was a suicide attack by Tamil Tiger rebels, but they have not confirmed this.
'Ministers targeted'
'Ministers targeted'
"An LTTE [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam] suicide bomber has attacked a mosque at Godapitiya, in Akurassa, in the Matara district," the defence ministry said on its website.
"An LTTE [Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam] suicide bomber has attacked a mosque at Godapitiya, in Akurassa, in the Matara district," the defence ministry said on its website.
Sri Lanka's oil minister HM Fowzie, who was at the site, told Reuters news agency the bomber appeared to have targeted ministers as they walked in a procession toward the mosque.
Sri Lanka's oil minister HM Fowzie, who was at the site, told Reuters news agency the bomber appeared to have targeted ministers as they walked in a procession toward the mosque.
"Six ministers were there and terrorists used this opportunity to target us. Only one minister, Mahinda Wijesekara, got injured. Seven bodies have been found at the spot," Mr Fowzie said.
They were attending a ceremony to mark the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed.
Mr Wijesekara is Sri Lanka's minister for post and telecommunications.
Post and Telecommunications Minister Mahinda Wijesekara was injured in the attack, but is now said to be out of danger.
The Tamil Tigers have been fighting for a separate homeland for the ethnic Tamil minority in the north and east of the country for a quarter of a century.
The Tamil Tigers have been fighting for a separate homeland for the ethnic Tamil minority in the north and east of the country for a quarter of a century.
In recent weeks, a major Sri Lankan army offensive has inflicted a series of defeats on the Tamil Tiger forces, pushing the rebels into a narrow area of jungle in the north of Sri Lanka.
In recent weeks, a major Sri Lankan army offensive has inflicted a series of defeats on the Tamil Tiger forces, pushing the rebels into a narrow area of jungle in the north of Sri Lanka.
About 70,000 people have died in the past 25 years.
It is estimated that between 70,000 and 200,000 civilians are caught up in the conflict.
Government officials say they are confident the entire north-east can be brought under control soon.
But the rebels have vowed to carry on their fight, and correspondents say the latest blast shows they have maintained their ability to launch attacks far from their traditional strongholds.
About 70,000 people have died in the conflict in the past 25 years.
Are you in the area? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
Are you in the area? Did you witness the attack? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
