Bomb attack in Colombo ahead of vote

Unidentified persons today lobbed a bomb targeting the home of opposition presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka's campaign manager here, as violence escalated with just four days left for the polls.

The bomb severely damaged the house of businessman and opposition member Tiran Alles in the Western Province, and destroyed his car parked in the compound.

However, Alles and his family members escaped unhurt.

The house of Alles, who is the general secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party - Mahajana wing, caught fire after the attack. The fire brigade was called in to douse the flames, the Daily Mirror Online reported.

"The attackers are believed to have come in a van and carried out the attack and fled," a police official at the scene said.