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Tight security for Sri Lankan MPs Tight security for Sri Lankan MPs
(about 1 hour later)
Sri Lanka has increased security for members of parliament a day after the assassination of a government minister.Sri Lanka has increased security for members of parliament a day after the assassination of a government minister.
The minister for nation-building, DM Dassanayake, was killed after a roadside bomb attack on his convoy near Colombo. A bodyguard also died.The minister for nation-building, DM Dassanayake, was killed after a roadside bomb attack on his convoy near Colombo. A bodyguard also died.
About 10 other people were wounded in the blast in the town of Ja-Ela, 12 miles (19km) north of the capital.
Tamil Tiger rebels have been blamed for the attack. Fighting between troops and rebels has worsened in recent months.Tamil Tiger rebels have been blamed for the attack. Fighting between troops and rebels has worsened in recent months.
There has been no comment from the Tigers. The military says 38 rebels and one soldier were killed in battles in the north of the country on Tuesday.
The figure could not be independently confirmed. There has been no comment from the Tigers.
The number of bodyguards and security vehicles assigned to lawmakers has been increased, news agency AFP quoted parliament Speaker WJM Lokubandara as saying.The number of bodyguards and security vehicles assigned to lawmakers has been increased, news agency AFP quoted parliament Speaker WJM Lokubandara as saying.
"The government has agreed to increase the security of MPs with immediate effect," he said."The government has agreed to increase the security of MPs with immediate effect," he said.
Mr Lokubandara said leaders of all political parties had discussed the issue on Tuesday.Mr Lokubandara said leaders of all political parties had discussed the issue on Tuesday.
Shattered windowsShattered windows
Mr Dassanayake died while undergoing surgery for severe head wounds, according to reports from the hospital in the nearby town of Ragama where he was taken.Mr Dassanayake died while undergoing surgery for severe head wounds, according to reports from the hospital in the nearby town of Ragama where he was taken.
HIGH PROFILE KILLINGS Aug 2005: Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar shot dead in ColomboDec 2005: Pro-rebel MP Joseph Pararajasingham shot dead in Batticaloa churchJune 2006: Bomb kills third-highest army officer Maj Gen Parami KulatungaNov 2006: Pro-rebel politician Nadarajah Raviraj shot dead in ColomboNov 2007: Air raid kills SP Thamilselvan, head of rebels' political wingJan 2008 Tamil member of parliament, T Maheswaran, shot dead in ColomboJan 2008 - Rebels' intelligence chief Colonel Charles killed in fighting in the northJan 2008: DM Dassanayake, minister for nation building, killed by blast near Colombo In pictures: Bomb aftermath Analysis: Gloomy outlook Is all-out war inevitable? HIGH PROFILE KILLINGS Aug 2005: Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar shot dead in ColomboDec 2005: Pro-rebel MP Joseph Pararajasingham shot dead in Batticaloa churchJune 2006: Bomb kills third-highest army officer Maj Gen Parami KulatungaNov 2006: Pro-rebel politician Nadarajah Raviraj shot dead in ColomboNov 2007: Air raid kills SP Thamilselvan, head of rebels' political wingJan 2008 Tamil member of parliament, T Maheswaran, shot dead in ColomboJan 2008 - Rebels' intelligence chief Colonel Charles killed in fighting in the northJan 2008: DM Dassanayake, minister for nation building, killed by blast near Colombo In pictures: Bomb aftermath Analysis: Gloomy outlook Is all-out war inevitable?
About 10 other people were wounded in the blast in the town of Ja-Ela, 12 miles (19km) north of the capital.
The minister was on his way to parliament when his white Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle was hit by a claymore [mine], military spokesman Brig Udaya Nanayakkara said.The minister was on his way to parliament when his white Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle was hit by a claymore [mine], military spokesman Brig Udaya Nanayakkara said.
The windows of the vehicle were shattered and photos show the passenger side riddled with holes.The windows of the vehicle were shattered and photos show the passenger side riddled with holes.
Claymore mines are placed above the ground. They can be detonated by remote control and the explosives can be directed. They are frequently used by the Tamil Tigers.Claymore mines are placed above the ground. They can be detonated by remote control and the explosives can be directed. They are frequently used by the Tamil Tigers.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said the killing was another example of the Tamil Tigers' "continued commitment to terror and violence to achieve its separatist goals, and absolute contempt and disregard for human values and the policies and practices of democracy".President Mahinda Rajapaksa said the killing was another example of the Tamil Tigers' "continued commitment to terror and violence to achieve its separatist goals, and absolute contempt and disregard for human values and the policies and practices of democracy".
The rebels have made no comment on the killing.
MK Sivajilingam, an MP for the Tamil National Alliance, the main political party representing Tamils, said that "the government withdrawing from the [2002 ceasefire agreement] had pushed the country towards an era of no democracy".MK Sivajilingam, an MP for the Tamil National Alliance, the main political party representing Tamils, said that "the government withdrawing from the [2002 ceasefire agreement] had pushed the country towards an era of no democracy".
The Tigers have been blamed for a number of assassinations and attempted assassinations in recent years, including one in April, 2006 that badly injured the head of the army. Two months later they killed the third most senior army officer.The Tigers have been blamed for a number of assassinations and attempted assassinations in recent years, including one in April, 2006 that badly injured the head of the army. Two months later they killed the third most senior army officer.
Heavy fightingHeavy fighting
A year earlier suspicion for the killing of foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar fell on the Tigers.A year earlier suspicion for the killing of foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar fell on the Tigers.
Mr Dassanayake suffered fatal head injuriesMr Dassanayake suffered fatal head injuries
There has been heavy fighting in the north of the country after the government said last week that it was pulling out of the ceasefire.There has been heavy fighting in the north of the country after the government said last week that it was pulling out of the ceasefire.
Hard-liners in the government and military are confident that the Tigers can be defeated.Hard-liners in the government and military are confident that the Tigers can be defeated.
The Norwegian-brokered ceasefire began breaking down two years ago, resulting in renewed fighting that has killed more than 5,000 people.The Norwegian-brokered ceasefire began breaking down two years ago, resulting in renewed fighting that has killed more than 5,000 people.
The military regularly say they are inflicting significant casualties on the Tigers in fighting in the north.The military regularly say they are inflicting significant casualties on the Tigers in fighting in the north.
Last year they drove the Tigers from strongholds in the east of the island.Last year they drove the Tigers from strongholds in the east of the island.
An air raid in November killed the head of the Tigers' political wing, SP Thamilselvan.An air raid in November killed the head of the Tigers' political wing, SP Thamilselvan.
The Tamil Tigers started air attacks on the military last year.The Tamil Tigers started air attacks on the military last year.
At least 70,000 people have died since the conflict began in 1983.At least 70,000 people have died since the conflict began in 1983.