At least 67 people have been killed in a suicide attack on a navy convoy in northern Sri Lanka, the military says.
At least 67 people have been killed in a suicide attack on a navy convoy in northern Sri Lanka, the military says.
Military officials told the BBC that they had counted the bodies near the town of Digampathana, near Trincomalee.
Military officials told the BBC that they had counted the bodies near the town of Digampathana, near Trincomalee.
They say that at least 60 people - navy personnel and civilians - were injured in a "huge explosion" involving an "explosive-laden vehicle".
They say that at least 60 people - navy personnel and civilians - were injured in a "huge explosion" involving an "explosive-laden vehicle".
The blasts come amid renewed violence in Sri Lanka, with both the military and Tamil rebels taking heavy losses.
The blasts come amid renewed violence in Sri Lanka, with both the military and Tamil rebels taking heavy losses.
Correspondents say the violence could derail peace talks due to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, at the end of the month.
Correspondents say the violence could derail peace talks due to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, at the end of the month.
Wounded
Wounded
Defence officials say the death toll maybe higher, with up to 90 sailors dead.
The government has blamed the Tamil Tigers for Monday's attack on a convoy of navy servicemen going on leave.
A number of civilians were reported to have been caught up in the blast.
"Suicide bombers drove a truck packed with explosives into the area where there were about 15 buses of sailors," a police official in the nearby town of Sigiriya told the AFP news agency.
"Suicide bombers drove a truck packed with explosives into the area where there were about 15 buses of sailors," a police official in the nearby town of Sigiriya told the AFP news agency.
Japan's peace envoy is in Sri Lanka for talks
"We have two helicopters to evacuate the wounded," the official said.
"We have two helicopters to evacuate the wounded," the official said.
Another official told the Reuters news agency that 13 of the 15 buses had been damaged in the explosion, and that the dead and injured were being taken to a nearby hospital.
Another official told the Reuters news agency that 13 of the 15 buses had been damaged in the explosion, and that the dead and injured were being taken to a nearby hospital.
The blast comes shortly after Japan's peace envoy to Sri Lanka, Yasushi Akashi, met President Mahinda Rajapakse in the capital, Colombo.
The blast comes shortly after Japan's peace envoy to Sri Lanka, Yasushi Akashi, met President Mahinda Rajapakse in the capital, Colombo.
It was the first of a number of new diplomatic efforts ahead of talks due between the government and the Tamil Tigers at the end of October.
It was the first of a number of new diplomatic efforts ahead of talks due between the government and the Tamil Tigers at the end of October.
At least 2,000 people have been killed in violence this year in Sri Lanka, the military and ceasefire monitors say.
At least 2,000 people have been killed in violence this year in Sri Lanka, the military and ceasefire monitors say.
Norway's peace envoy, Jon Hanssen-Bauer, is due in the island on Tuesday. Richard Boucher, the US assistant secretary of state, is due on Thursday.
Norway's peace envoy, Jon Hanssen-Bauer, is due in the island on Tuesday. Richard Boucher, the US assistant secretary of state, is due on Thursday.
The diplomats will be hoping to help the government and the Tamil Tigers rebels reconcile their differences.
The diplomats will be hoping to help the government and the Tamil Tigers rebels reconcile their differences.
No details of the meeting between Mr Akashi and Mr Rajapakse have been released. Mr Akashi is due to meet senior Tamil Tigers in the north of the island later in the week.
No details of the meeting between Mr Akashi and Mr Rajapakse have been released. Mr Akashi is due to meet senior Tamil Tigers in the north of the island later in the week.
Japan is one of the key international donors to Sri Lanka.
Japan is one of the key international donors to Sri Lanka.
Trawler
Trawler
There were more reports of violence over the weekend.
There were more reports of violence over the weekend.
The military said the navy destroyed a trawler carrying arms off the island's west coast on Sunday, leaving at least five rebels dead.
The military said the navy destroyed a trawler carrying arms off the island's west coast on Sunday, leaving at least five rebels dead.
Four civilians were also killed in northern Jaffna peninsula in three separate incidents, the pro-rebel TamilNet website said. In each case it says the shootings were carried out by unidentified gunmen.
Four civilians were also killed in northern Jaffna peninsula in three separate incidents, the pro-rebel TamilNet website said. In each case it says the shootings were carried out by unidentified gunmen.
At least three Sinhala civilians were reported to have been kidnapped and killed near the town of Vavuniya, 260km (160 miles) north of Colombo.
At least three Sinhala civilians were reported to have been kidnapped and killed near the town of Vavuniya, 260km (160 miles) north of Colombo.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected? You can contact us using the form below.
