05 December, 2007 - Published 16:20 GMT

15 killed in Kebitigollewa

At least 15 killed and 23 more injured in a claymore attack on a passenger bus in Kebitigollewa, Anuradhapura, police say.

Kebitigollewa police told journalist Athula Bandara that two claymore bombs have exploded in a crowded bus carrying civilian passengers.

The bus was travelling in Abhimanapura area in Padaviya when the attack happened at around 1945 SLT.

Three women are among the deceased, police said.

LTTE accused

Security authorities accused Tamil Tigers of targeting civilians.

At least 64 civilians were killed in a mine blast in Kebitigollewa in a passenger bus in June, last year.

This is the latest of series of attacks on civilians within two weeks.

International truce monitors acccused both parties of killing 49 civilians within four days, last week.

Sri Lanka authorities accused LTTE of killing at least 20 civilians in a bomb blast in Nugegoda, Colombo.

The security forces are accused of killing dozens of civilians in air raids on Tiger-controlled areas.