COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- Security checkpoints were set up around Colombo Sunday after a bombing occurred just outside the Sri Lankan capital.
While no one was killed during Saturday's passenger bus bombing in nearby Mount Lavinia, the Colombo Page said checkpoints were instituted at all entry and exit points to the city by police and military officials.
Authorities said the bombing's impact was mitigated after a passenger noticed a suspicious package on the bus, leading to a quick evacuation. A total of 18 people suffered minor injuries nonetheless.
Meanwhile, the reported death toll from a military attack on a Tamil Tigers stronghold Saturday increased to 79. Official say the attack, which included both ground and air military forces, reportedly killed at least 76 rebels in the town of Mannar.
Dozens of other Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam militants also were killed Saturday in various parts of Sri Lanka as government forces engaged the rebels in numerous ground clashes.
