Sri Lanka police investigate Karadiyanaru explosion

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mahinda Balasuriya today said that while investigations are being conducted into the explosion in the Eastern city of Karadiyanaru, normal functions of the Karadiyanaru Police division in the Eastern Province will be temporarily handled by the police station in Ayiththamale.

Police Media Spokesman SP Prishantha Jayakody said a special Criminal Investigation Department (CID) team has been appointed to look into the investigation. The investigations are conducted jointly by the CID and a team from the Government Analyst Department.
The Government Analyst Department stated the report on this incident will be submitted to the relevant authority within a week. Relevant statements regarding the incident are being recorded now.
The Karadiyanaru Police building was completely destroyed in an accidental explosion of two dynamite containers parked in the premises. The containers belonged to a Chinese construction company engaged in infrastructure development work in the Eastern Province.
The explosion killed 12 police officers, seven civilians, and two Chinese nationals employed in a construction company and injured over 45 persons.
The government has made arrangements to compensate the affected families.