One dead in suicide attack on Sri Lankan minister

An apparent suicide bombing targetting a Sri Lankan government minister left at least one person dead outside the capital Colombo on Thursday, a military spokesman said. Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said a woman suicide bomber from the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) targetted a passing convoy escorting Agriculture Minister Maithripala Sirisena. The minister was not hurt, but the vehicle carrying his secretary was damaged in the attack and the deputy agriculture minister, Siripala Gamlath, was among three people injured.