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Devananda's aide escapes bid on life

V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO: An aide of the Sri Lankan Minister of Hindu Affairs, Douglas Devananda, escaped a bomb explosion in Colombo on Thursday morning. Mr. Devananda, who is also the leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) and a spokesperson for the Sri Lanka Army, said the LTTE was the main suspect. "We suspect the LTTE as Mr. Devananda has received death threats from the Tigers in the past," a Defence Ministry spokesperson said. A clerical grade employee, S. Vijayakanth, sustained "minor injuries," the EPDP said. The Army said an explosive exploded on Thursday morning, completely destroying the vehicle. The vehicle was being used by A. Jeyarajah, a personal assistant to Mr. Devananda. However, Mr. Jeyarajah was at his residence at the time of the explosion. "We suspect that a time-bomb was planted as the vehicle was parked on the road," Mr. Devananda said.

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