Suicide-bomber strikes in Colombo

By Nirupama Subramanian

COLOMBO, OCT. 19. Two persons were killed in a LTTE suicide- bombing that rocked the Sri Lankan capital as the country's new Cabinet was being sworn in today.

A police officer, besides the suicide-bomber, died. Twentytwo people, including two policemen and three United States nationals, were injured when the suicide bomber detonated himself in front of the Town Hall. No deaths, except that of the bomber, were reported.

The three U.S. nationals were all women resident and working in Sri Lanka.

The injured policemen were in a mobile patrol, part of the high- security blanket that was thrown over the city for the swearing- in ceremony of the Cabinet this morning.

The bombing took place at 10.10 a.m., minutes before the Sri Lankan President, Mrs. Chandrika Kumaratunga, began swearing in the jumbo Cabinet of the People's Alliance-led coalition Government at the official residence of the President five km away.

46-member Cabinet

Mrs. Kumaratunga retained the portfolios of Defence, and Finance and Planning in the 46-member Cabinet. The Prime Minister, Mr. Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, has been placed in charge of sensitive portfolio of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs. Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar retains the Foreign Ministry.

The National Unity Alliance (NUA), the PA's assertive coalition partner, was given two berths, with one of its leaders, Mr. Rauff Hakeem, getting the sought after portfolio of Trade and Commerce, besides Shipping Development and Muslim Religious Affairs.

The other leader of the party, Mrs. Ferial Ashraff, who was appointed Minister of Development and Reconstruction of the East and Rural Housing, is to be sworn in later as she is still in mourning for her husband and NUA founder, M.H.M. Ashraff.

The PA's other coalition partner, the Eelam People's Democratic Party, was given one berth. Its leader, Mr. Douglas Devananda, has been appointed Minister of the prestigious Development, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the North, as well as Tamil Affairs, North and East.

The Justice Ministry has been handed over to Mr. Batty Weerakoon from Mr. G.L. Peiris, who, however retains the Ministry of Constitutional Affairs, and has additionally been given Industrial Development.

The unusually large Cabinet is to be supported by Deputy Ministers, who were not sworn in today.

Addressing the new Cabinet, Mr. Wickramanayake urged his colleagues to be vigilant of their safety in view of the continued LTTE threat.

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