UN chief slams Sri Lanka attacks

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 28, 2007 (AFP) - UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday condemned the latest suicide bombing in Sri Lanka and called for an end to the violence, his press office said in a statement.



Officials blamed both attacks on Tamil Tiger rebels, who have been fighting for an independent Tamil homeland for 35 years, a conflict that has left tens of thousands of people dead. "The secretary-general condemns the suicide attacks that occurred today in Colombo, Sri Lanka ...







which have killed and wounded dozens of civilians," the statement said. "He offers his condolences to the families and friends of the victims.



"

Ban also urged "an end to the destructive spiral of violence in Sri Lanka and calls on the parties to the conflict to return to the peace process while making every effort to ensure the protection of civilians."

At least 18 people were killed in Sri Lanka on Wednesday in two bomb attacks blamed on Tamil Tiger rebels, officials in Colombo said.

A powerful parcel bomb exploded outside a clothing store on the outskirts of the capital Colombo, killing 17, wounding 43 others and leaving the street littered with body parts, police said.

The attack came just hours after a di