COLOMBO: At least seven civilians were killed and 31 other people wounded on Monday in a powerful bomb blast near an air force base just outside Sri Lanka’s capital, police and hospital sources said.

The evening rush hour explosion was along the main Gallen Road at Ratmalana where the air force has a base, police said, adding that the roadside bomb had targeted a truck carrying police Special Task Force (STF) commandos.

“Seven commandos were taken to hospital together with 30 civilians who were also wounded in the blast,” a police officer said in a telephone interview. “We think the bomb was planted on an upper floor store facing Galle Road.” Police said they believed the bombing was the work of the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). There was no immediate word from the Tigers, who are fighting for an independent homeland for minority Tamils.

Doctors at the Colombo South hospital said five people, including two women, were found dead at the time of admission. A total of 31 people — including the police commandos — were admitted to three hospitals. There were no foreigners among the casualties.

Several private vehicles were also damaged in the blast. Police cordoned off the area as forensic experts began combing the site for clues.—AFP