Dec 28, Colombo: A suspected LTTE suicide attack at a Civil Defense Force (CDF) checkpoint in Wattala, a suburb north of Sri Lankan capital Colombo this morning killed eight people and injured 17, Army spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said.

A male suicide bomber blew himself up at a checkpoint near the St Ann's Church, Hekitta, Wattla when he was stopped at the checkpoint, Army sources said.

An Army officer and six CDF personnel were killed on the spot. Thirteen more CDF personnel and 4 civilians including a woman were injured due to the blast. Another CDF guard and a civilian succumbed to their injuries later at the hospital.

The injured have been admitted to the Ragama Teaching Hospital Colombo National Hospital. Two of the injured are in serious condition, sources said.

The attack comes as the government took measures to step up the security in the capital to protect the shoppers during the festive season.