19 arrested in Piliyandala bus bomb explosion

[TamilNet, Sunday, 27 April 2008, 06:25 GMT]
Colombo police said Sunday that they have taken into custody 19 persons in connection with the Piliyandala bus bomb explosion. 26 passengers were killed and 62 injured when a bomb exploded in a crowded State sector bus Friday evening. Police further said the bomb had been placed on a hood rack above the third seat behind the driver.

The police added that they had not found any direct links between the suspects and the blast.

Officials of the Government Analyst's Department after on the spot investigation said the bomb was packed with steel balls and designed to cause maximum damage to the bus and its occupants in contrast to the Dambulla bus bomb explosion that took place on February 2 which killed 13 passengers, media sources said.

Chronology: