Mar 10, Matara: At least 14 people were killed and more than 46 others including Post and Telecommunication Minister Mahinda Wijesekara were injured following an LTTE suicide attack on a procession celebrating Milad-un-Nabi at Godapitiya, Akuressa in Matara, this morning.

The incident took place when the procession was closer to the Jumma Mosque at Godapitiya, Akuressa at about 10:40 a.m. Defence sources said the LTTE bomber has targeted the Islam devotees attending the national Milad-Un-Nabi celebration, held at the mosque.

"The suicide cadre in a bicycle blew himself up as the procession attended by Muslim, Catholic and Buddhist clergy was winding its way before a grand religious ceremony later in the morning," a defence official said.

Minister Wijesekara who was seriously injured in the attack with severe head injuries was airlifted to Colombo National Hospital as his condition was critical after President Mahinda Rajapaksa dispatched a special medical team to Matara Hospital from Colombo.

Hospital sources said that Minister Wijesekara was undergoing an emergency surgery currently. Among the dead were, Devinuwara Pradeshiya Sabha chairman Linton Abeydeera, Akuressa Pradeshiya Sabha vice-chairman Upali Sarathchandra, Kaburupitiya Pradeshiya Sabha Vice-chairman Tilak Wijesekara, Athuraliya Pradeshiya Sabha member Anura Wickramasinghe, officials said.