Firing continues near blast site

[TamilNet, Friday, 10 March 2000, 14:09 GMT]
At least fourteen people, including five Sri Lankan policemen were killed and thirty six others wounded in an explosion was near Borella, a suburb of Colombo around 6 pm Friday, hospital sources said. Gunfire which broke out at the same time was continuing an hour later, residents said.

Sri Lankan security forces have cordoned off the area and are conducting a massive search operation, they said.

According to initial reports the blast was due to a car bomb on Castle Street junction close to Borella, said Police sources.