Sri Lankan MP killed in mine blast

A Sri Lankan Tamil lawmaker has been killed in a roadside bomb attack as Colombo faced fresh criticism over its rights record.

A vehicle carrying Kiddinan Sivanesan, 51, a legislator from the pro-rebel Tamil National Alliance, was hit by a mine 35 kilometers (21 miles) north of the frontline post of Omanthai in a guerrilla-controlled part of the island.

"The government knew Sivanesan was crossing the Omanthai checkpoint and returning to his home after attending parliament," fellow lawmaker Mavai Senathirajah said.

The rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) said the attack, which also killed the driver, was carried out by a "deep penetration unit" of the Sri Lankan army.

The defense ministry has reported that security forces have killed at least 1,837 rebels in 2008. The ministry out the government forces death toll at 107. Three Sri Lankan lawmakers have also been killed this year.

The latest violence came as the island's government was accused of being behind hundreds of "disappearances."

Tens of thousands have died since separatist Tamil Tiger rebels began fighting the Sri Lankan government more than three decades ago.

Source: www.presstv.ir