Dec 28, Colombo: A suspected LTTE suicide bomber attacked a Civil Defense Force (CDF) checkpoint in Wattala, a suburb north of Sri Lankan capital Colombo this morning killing six people, 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 4 CDF personnel were killed on the spot while a sixth victim, a CDF guard, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

Nineteen people were injured in the incident and seven of them who are in critical condition were admitted to Colombo National Hospital. Others are being treated at Ragama Hospital.

Many of the injured are CDF personnel and the patients include a woman as well. The attack comes as the government took measures to step up the security in the capital to protect the shoppers during the festive season.