Sirasa TV
October 6, 2008, in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Mohamed, a provincial correspondent for Sirasa TV, was covering the opening ceremony of the new office of the United National Party (UNP) in Anuradhapura when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device.

The blast apparently came from a member of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) inside the newly opened and crowded office of the opposition UNP. The target appeared to be retired Maj. Gen. Janaka Perera, who died in the blast. At least 27 people died, and at least 80 more were wounded in the explosion.

Security was apparently lax at the event. UNP officials quoted by The Associated Press accused the government of ignoring repeated requests for a stronger security detail for Perera, who was a vocal critic of the way the government had conducted its military campaign against the LTTE secessionists. "The government must take full responsibility. They did not give him adequate security for political reasons," AP quoted party official Tissa Attanayake as saying.

Medium:Television
Job:Broadcast Reporter
Beats Covered:Politics, War
Gender:Male
Local or Foreign:Local
Freelance:No
Type of Death:Dangerous Assignment
Suspected Source of Fire:Political Group

 

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