Monday, August 14 2006 17:48 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Colombo: A powerful bomb exploded in the heart of the Sri Lankan capital today (Aug 14, 2006), apparently close to a newly opened office of a breakaway Tamil Tiger group led by Karuna.

The bomb, concealed in an autorickshaw, went off in Colpetty area, which is home to several diplomatic missions including those of India and the US. The Karuna group opened its first political office in Colombo last week.

Military spokesman Atula Jayawardene told sources that there was no threat to the Indian cricket team staying at the Taj Samudra hotel, not far away. India is playing a tri-series with South Africa and Sri Lanka.