Bomb blasts rock Lanka navy base

Two Claymore mines exploded simultaneously outside the Welisara navy base and hit a civilian bus, navy spokesman P. D. K. Dassanayake said, adding that the driver and conductor were injured. There were no passengers at the time.

"It is obviously the work of the Tamil Tigers," he said, adding that it was fortunate there were no civilians on the bus at the time of the explosion.

Neighbouring houses had their windows shattered and doors blown in by the huge pre-dawn explosion, while ceilings collapsed, residents said.