Apr 26, Colombo: Death toll in last night's bomb explosion in Piliyandala, near the Sri Lankan capital Colombo rose to 26, with two of the 64 wounded persons succumbing to their injuries today.

According to police sources, the bomb exploded inside a Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) belonging to Kesbewa Depot at the public bus stand in Piliyandala. The explosion took place when it stopped at the bus stop during the evening rush hour and was about to leave the bus stand.

According to hospital sources, the dead included a Buddhist monk and a 12-year-old school boy. Students returning from tuition classes were also caught in this attack and admitted to the Piliyandala and Kalubowila Teaching Hospitals. Sri Lankan government blamed the attack on LTTE Tamil Tigers. This was the third explosion in a bus carried out by suspected Tigers this year.