Monday, April 17 2006 11:43 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Colombo: At least seven persons, including four soldiers, were killed in two separate blasts in northern Sri Lanka today (Apr 17, 2006), a day after Tamil Tiger rebelssuspended participation in peace talks with the government.

A claymore landmine exploded at Veppankulam in the district of Vavuniya as an army truck passed by, officials said.

Four soldiers were killed on the spot while eight soldiers escaped with injuries.

"Another claymore mine exploded at Meesali in the Jaffna peninsula, further north, killing the man who was carrying it and two others," the military said.

The army said they believed the bomb was being set up to target security forces, but the bomb exploded prematurely killing three people.

The violence came after the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) yesterday said they were suspending their participation in talks set to take place in Switzerland next week to salvage their troubled truce.