Tamil Tiger backed MP killed in roadside bomb by Sri Lankan army

Colombo: An opposition member of parliament has been killed in northern Sri Lanka following a roadside bomb by Sri Lankan Army special forces unit.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP, K. Sivanesan, who was backed by the Tamil Tigers rebel group, was driving near his home when a roadside Claymore mine exploded, killing him and his driver instantly, his party said.

It was the latest in a string of attacks inside rebel territory that the rebels have blamed on government troops, who are using the Tigers' own deadly methods against them as the 25-year civil war escalates.

A rebel military spokesman said: "His vehicle was precisely targeted, because there were several vehicles travelling along this road."

The military had no immediate comment.