(Lanka-e-News, October 9, 2008, 5.15 PM third edition) One person was killed and five were injured in a suicide attack that took place at Pirivena junction in Boralegamuwa today (09) 1.15 PM. Two of the injured were admitted to National hospital and two were admitted to Kalubowila hospital.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Siripala Gamlath is also among the injured.
Police suspects that the dead body belongs to the female suicide cadre.
Polonnaruwa former District Secretary and current Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Ranjith Wijethilaka and Ananda Vithana, the Senior Adviser of the Minister are also among the seriously injured. Both of them were traveling in the same vehicle driven behind the Minister's vehicle, said the Police Spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunasekara. Mr. Wijethilaka assumed duty today as the Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Mahaweli Development.
The bomber has reportedly targeted Minister of Agriculture and Mahaweli Development Maithripala Sirisena. However, the Minister rescued without harm.
A security convoy was caught in the explosion.
Army spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara stated that the bomber targeted Minister Sirisena who was returning from a ceremony of newly farming abandoned paddy fields held in Bandaragama Olaboduwa paddy field.
