( AFP ) - A senior Sri Lankan government minister and 11 others were killed and more than 90 people wounded Sunday in a powerful suicide bomb attack outside the capital, the defence ministry said.
The blast occurred as highways minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle launched festivities to mark next week's traditional New Year, the ministry said.
"According to latest reports received, at least 12 people were killed and over 90 injured in the explosion," the ministry said in a statement.
Among the others killed were former national athletes and the country's top athletics coach Lakshman de Alwis, police said.