4TH LEAD

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Kadirgamar killed

[TamilNet, Friday, 12 August 2005, 18:12 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister, Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar, was shot Friday night and later succumbed to his gunshot wounds at Colombo National Hospital at 12:15 a.m Saturday according to Hospital sources. Mr. Kadirgamar was rushed to Colombo National Hospital in serious condition after being shot by a sniper from a long distance at his highly guarded residence at Wijerama Mawatte near London Place, Colombo-7, Police said. Tension prevails in Colombo, following the assassination.



Many shots were fired towards his residence, according to the policemen at the assassination site.

Mr. Kadirgamar was shot between 10:00 p.m and 11:00 p.m. Friday night.

Sri Lankan armed forces are using helicopters to search for assailants, Police said.

All roads leading to Colombo 7 area remain blocked by Sri Lanka armed forces.