Sri Lanka suicide blast kills 10, wounds minister

[oberliner]

Source: AP

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — A suicide bomber attacked a gathering of Muslims celebrating a religious holiday in southern Sri Lanka on Tuesday, killing 10 people and critically wounding a government minister, officials said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but officials quickly blamed ethnic Tamil rebels who are facing defeat in the South Asian island's 25-year civil war.

The bomber appeared to have targeted six ministers as they walked in a procession toward a mosque in the town of Akuressa to celebrate Mawlid, which commemorates the prophet Mohammed's birthday.

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