Sri Lanka declared a state of emergency and soldiers searched homes and vehicles for suspects today following the assassination of the nation's foreign minister, a killing that put the island's fragile peace process at risk.
The military blamed the separatist Tamil Tiger rebels for the death of 73-year-old Lakshman Kadirgamar, who was shot in the head and heart late last night by snipers after finishing a swim at his home.
Kadirgamar, an ethnic Tamil himself, had led efforts to ban the Tamil rebels as a terrorist organisation but later backed peace negotiations.
But the rebel group's political chief has denied any role in the killing and criticised officials for "hastily blaming" the group.
"We also know that there are factions within the Sri Lankan Armed forces operating with a hidden agenda to sabotage the cease-fire agreement," said SP Tamilselvan. He urged Colombo thoroughly investigate the killing.
Officials said seven suspects have been detained in connection with the killing.
The government said today it would not take any unilateral action that will amount to violating the cease-fire with the rebels, but pledged to take precautions to safeguard its citizens against terrorists' attacks.
The Defense Ministry tightened security across the tropical island, deploying troops to check vehicles in the capital and sending military aircraft to monitor the movement of the rebels.
"We have taken the steps" to safeguard our people, said Harim Peiris, a spokesman for President Chandrika Kumaratunga of the heightened security steps.
Asked if his government will honor the cease-fire with the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam, Peiris said: "No instruction contrary to the existing order to maintain the cease-fire has been given."