Investigations Commence on LTTE Suicide Attack

Extensive investigations are being conducted on the suicide blast occurred in Weliweriya this morning. The SSP’s office of Gampaha says a special team of police including 4 specially trained officers are investigating the incident. Meanwhile, the police say it has been confirmed that the suicide bomber was a male. 
The Police  said it suspects a suicide bomber pretending to be a marathon runner carried out the attack.
Television footage showed a powerful explosion a few feet away from the minister, regarded as a potential prime minister-in-waiting, as he addressed athletes lining up at the start of a marathon. "It was a suicide bombing of the Tigers," media minister Anura Yapa said.
Latest reports indicate that  the death toll has increased to eleven (11) civilians while the number injured  has increased to over fifty (50)  in the explosion at WELIVERIYA   .
Final rites of the slain minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle will be conducted in Katana on Thursday with full state honours. The body is to be brought to his official residence at Sarana Road in London Place around 7.00pm today.
Remains of the late minister will lie there till 10.00am tomorrow. The body will be brought to Parliamentary tomorrow at 10.30am and kept there till 12.30pm for ministers and MPs to pay their last respect.
 The remains will then be brought to his residence in Katana in a motorcade at 1.00pm. The public could pay their last respects to the late minister till 2.00pm on Thursday. Final rites will be conducted at the Welihena Grounds in Katana.
 The funeral arrangements were made during a special discussion held today under the chairmanship of President Mahinda Rajapakse. A special committee headed by Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickremanayake has also been appointed to coordinate the funeral arrangements. The president visiting the official residence of the minister extended his condolences to Mrs. Fernandopulle.