Trinco blast disrupts campaign

Government ministers were yesterday compelled to curtail their election campaigning in Trincomalee following a powerful claymore mine explosion on the main road leading to the town though no casualties were reported.

The explosion went off at Potkarni, between Tampalakamam and Trincomalee, a few minutes after a police patrol had covered the route. The police team had been deployed to clear the road ahead of government and opposition politicians arriving for the provincial election campaign. Among those who have modified their campaign programmes are Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, John Seneviratne, Bandula Gunawardena, Neomal Perera, Siripala Gamlath, presidential advisor and MP Basil Rajapaksa.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem was due to travel to Kinniya last morning when the explosion occurred. Several government and opposition politicians have been visiting the Trincomalee district in the past few days to attend campaign meetings and opening ceremonies.