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S Lanka anniversary amid tensions S Lanka anniversary amid tensions
(about 1 hour later)
There is tight security in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, where a military parade is being held to mark the 60th anniversary of national independence. A large military parade is under way amid tight security in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, to mark the 60th anniversary of national independence.
The anniversary comes as fighting has intensified between the government and the Tamil Tigers.
Security forces are on high alert after a series of bombings over the weekend.Security forces are on high alert after a series of bombings over the weekend.
At least 11 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack at the main railway station on Sunday, while 18 died in a bus blast in Dambulla on Saturday.At least 11 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack at the main railway station on Sunday, while 18 died in a bus blast in Dambulla on Saturday.
Both were blamed by the government on the Tamil Tigers rebels, though the rebels have denied involvement.Both were blamed by the government on the Tamil Tigers rebels, though the rebels have denied involvement.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who have been fighting for an independent state in the north and east since 1983, have carried out frequent suicide and bomb attacks in the city and other parts of the country. The BBC's Roland Buerk in Colombo says Monday morning's parade is a show of strength by Sri Lanka's armed forces - once again, officially at war with the Tamil Tiger rebels.
Sabotage threat Attack fears
There has been a resurgence of violence in Sri Lanka since the government officially withdrew from a ceasefire with the Tigers last month. Ranks of soldiers, sailors and airmen were drawn up on grounds overlooking the Indian Ocean.
The station blast was the latest in a series of attacksAhead of the celebrations marking independence from Britain much of the centre of Colombo was sealed off by military checkpoints. Tanks and trucks carrying multi-barrelled rocket launchers rumbled past. Heavy guns fired a salute sending smoke drifting out over the blue water, our correspondent says.
In a speech marking the 60th anniversary of independence, President Mahinda Rajapakse said Sri Lanka was facing the challenge of eradicating terrorism and poverty.
The station blast was the latest in a series of attacks
Much of the centre of Colombo has been sealed off by military checkpoint.
Thousands of police and troops are on the streets and the navy has stepped up coastal patrols to combat a possible sea-borne attack.Thousands of police and troops are on the streets and the navy has stepped up coastal patrols to combat a possible sea-borne attack.
The massive military parade which is the centre point of the celebrations is the first national event since the government withdrew from the 2002 truce. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told Reuters news agency that the armed forces were expecting the rebels to launch an attack.
Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told Reuters news agency that the armed forces were expecting the rebels to launch an attack:
"There have been recoveries of suicide jackets and an LTTE cadre (fighter) last week. They are trying to disrupt the independence celebrations," he said."There have been recoveries of suicide jackets and an LTTE cadre (fighter) last week. They are trying to disrupt the independence celebrations," he said.
The civil war has intensified in the last month, with heavy fighting on the front lines that surround rebel-held territory in the north of the country. Civilians targeted
Last month, the government pulled out of the 2002 ceasefire with the Tamil Tigers, arguing the rebels had used it to re-group and re-arm.
Since then, fighting has intensified on the frontlines that surround Tiger-held territory in the north.
Civilians are also being targeted - there were explosions in a bus and at a railway station over the weekend.
Sri Lanka's army commander Lieutenant-General Sarath Fonseka has said he now aims to defeat the rebels by the end of the year.
The Tigers have marked independence day by once again saying they will fight on for a separate state for the Tamil minority in the north and east.
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have been fighting for an independent state in the north and east since 1983.