Three killed as Sri Lankan rebels fire at bus

At least three people were killed and 16 injured Friday when suspected Tamil Tiger rebels fired at a bus in southern Sri Lanka, police said.

The incident took place just south of the capital Colombo in Buttala, police said, adding that the injured had been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

"Passengers said an unidentified armed group fired at the bus," a defence ministry spokesman said.

In January, 25 people died when Tamil Tiger rebels set off a roadside mine in the same area, hitting a crowded passenger bus.

Sri Lanka's rebels have been waging a war against the government since 1972 to carve out a separate homeland for minority Tamils in the island's north and east.

Fighting is currently centred around the north, but the rebels routinely carry out attacks against military, economic and civilian targets elsewhere on the island.