Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ordered a probe into the causes including possible negligence behind the explosion at Karadiyanaru in Batticaloa district on Friday.
In the explosion triggered reportedly accidentally, 16 police personnel, seven civilians and two Chinese contractors died. Of the 52 injured, four police personnel were in critical condition.
The massive explosion in the Karadiyanaru police station had destroyed three containers carrying industrial explosives of a Chinese company.
The company is engaged in the construction of a highway in the Eastern Province and the explosives were brought for industrial purposes, according to the Defence Ministry.
On the basis of initial investigations, the police have ruled out sabotage.
According to local media reports, the Chinese are conducting a separate investigation.
Mr. Rajapaksa, in U.S. to attend the U.N. General Assembly session, has asked Inspector-General Mahinda Balasuriya and acting Defence Secretary Lalith Weeratunga to conduct an immediate inquiry into the “accidental explosion”.
