Minister Maithripala escapes assassination

Minister Maithripala escapes assassination

Agriculture Minister and SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena escaped an assassination bid yesterday when a suspected LTTE female suicide bomber pounced on his convoy at Pirivena junction in Boralesgamuwa and blew herself up, killing one and injuring six others, including Deputy Minister Siripala Gamlath.

Seven others including Deputy Minister of Agrarian Services Siripala Gamlath have sustained injuries. According to the hospital sources , Minister Gamlath has suffered only minor injuries. Five of the injured have been admitted to the Teaching Hospital, Kalubowila, the sources added. One of the injured has succumbed to injuries, latest hospital reports stated.

The bomber, who was waiting for her target at the 7th milepost at Katuwawala, Pirivena junction jumped on the minister's convoy as it was returning after the launch of a paddy cultivation event in Bandaragama, but missed his car and instead struck two backup vehicles.