At least four Tamil Tiger guerrillas were killed and four government soldiers wounded early today in renewed clashes in the Sri Lankan capital after an overnight bombing and shooting spree that killed 23.
Members of the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) who escaped after the melee were trapped in an apartment complex ringed by security forces. Residents of the apartment complex contacted by telephone said they heard several explosions early today and later saw the bodies of four dead rebels on the fourth floor of the building.
"They [the rebels] were firing rocket-propelled grenades from the fourth floor," a resident said. "Some soldiers have also been wounded."
Six policemen were among the dead from the bombing during Colombo's evening's rush hour, Sri Lankan police and hospital sources said.
Many of the wounded were in critical condition in hospital. Witnesses said there could have been two explosions. Earlier reports said a vehicle had exploded.
Police said two rocket-propelled grenade launchers were found in the bushes near where at least one suicide bomber was killed by police. His suicide jacket was later defused by the bomb squad.
The attack occurred in the Borella area on a route to parliament where deputies were meeting for a monthly vote on extending the state of national emergency and to discuss the defence ministry budget. There is a hospital nearby.
The road was littered with the wreckage of several cars lying in glass shards.
The government and main opposition party are currently discussing constitutional reforms the government plans to present to the LTTE to end the long ethnic war.